HC Deb 30 November 1994 vol 250 cc748-9W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) widows and (b) war widows ceased to claim widow's benefit on re-marriage in each of the last five years.

Mr. Arbuthnot

For(a) information for the period 1 April 1989 to 31 September 1992 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Provisional figures for the period since then are as follows:

  • 1 October 1992 to 31 March 1993 = 990
  • 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994 = 2,050
  • 1 April 1994 to 30 September 1994 = 1,060

Information on the number of widows who ceased on re-marriage to claim war widows pension is as follows:

  • 1990–60
  • 1991–48
  • 1992–32
  • 1993–34
  • 1994–411
  • 1January to October 1994 inclusive.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund applications which have been turned down went to appeal in each region in each year since the establishment of the fund; and how many appeals were successful.

Mr. Roger Evans

The information requested, which is for the regulated social fund system, is set out in the table below. A comprehensive and independent review system is available for those customers who are

Social Fund—Sothern Territory
Year Benefit Lodged appeals Appeals heard and decided Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour
1987–88 Funeral payments 104 55 16
Maternity payments 145 70 14
1988–89 Funeral payments 206 159 38
Maternity payments 178 148 35
1989–90 Funeral payments 336 191 43
Maternity payments 257 124 19
1990–91 Funeral payments 400 232 39
Maternity payments 240 108 18
1991–92 Funeral Payments 433 262 70
Maternity Payments 220 103 25
1992–93 Funeral payments 466 247 56
Maternity payments 168 79 29
1993–94 Funeral payments 356 211 44
Maternity payments 144 59 13

Social Fund Appleals—Wales and Central Territory
Year Benefit Lodged appeals Appeals heard and decided Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour
1987–88 Funeral payments 100 29 9
Maternity payments 249 83 5
1988–89 Funeral payments 203 164 28
Maternity payments 264 242 28
1989–90 Funeral payments 250 198 37
Maternity payments 232 110 14
1990–91 Funeral payments 296 214 43
Maternity payments 138 81 12
1991–92 Funeral payments 312 195 42
Maternity payments 151 82 16
1992–93 Funeral payments 269 155 34
Maternity payments 173 84 15
1993–94 Funeral payments 295 155 26
Maternity payments 132 63 14

Social Fund Appleals—Scotland and Northern Territory
Year Benefit Lodged appeals Appeals heard and decided Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour
1987–88 Funeral payments 88 26 0
Maternity payments 176 37 6
1988–89 Funeral payments 180 126 24
Maternity payments 305 254 39
1989–90 Funeral payments 192 154 21
Maternity payments 187 107 17
1990–91 Funeral payments 200 116 19
Maternity payments 141 59 12
1991–92 Funeral Payments 245 131 23
Maternity Payments 149 70 6
1992–93 Funeral payments 368 195 39
Maternity payments 195 85 14
1993–94 Funeral payment 337 162 39
Maternitypayments 137 53 12

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