§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applicants to the social fund have been turned down on the grounds of ability to pay by year and by region since the fund's inception; and what percentage of the total applying this figure represented in each case. [2083]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe figures requested are set out in the tables.
376W
Year Total number of applications Numbers refused on the grounds of inability to repay Numbers refused as a percentage of applications Great Britain 1988–89 1,749,000 15,020 0.85 1989–90 2,299,000 22,270 0.96 1990–91 2,317,000 27,053 1.17 1991–92 3,098,000 37,213 1.20 1992–93 3,519,000 45,491 1.29 1993–94 3,673,000 44,179 1.20 1994–95 3,744,000 12,303 0.33 Scotland and northern territory 1991–92 1,071,689 13,711 1.28 1992–93 1,152,777 17,368 1.50 1993–94 1,200,819 12,979 1.08 1994–95 1,241,496 2,873 0.23
Year Total number of applications Numbers refused on the grounds of inability to repay Numbers refused as a Percentage of applications Wales and central territory 1991–92 1,118,867 10,455 0.93 1992–93 1,274,702 14,545 1.14 1993–94 1,298,118 14,589 1.12 1994–95 1,304,981 4,223 0.32 Southern territory 1991–92 907,155 13,047 1.44 1992–93 1,091,903 13,578 1.24 1993–94 1,173,511 16,611 1.42 1994–95 1,197,571 5,207 20.43 Information by region prior to the creation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.