§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications there were for grants and loans from the social fund in the last month for which figures are available; what was the monthly average for the last financial year; and if there are any plans to increase the size of the fund. [30974]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThere were 318,231 applications for grants and loans in May this year. The monthly average for 1994–95 was 312,019.
The gross social fund budget for 1995–96 was increased by £38 million to £406 million, an increase of £53 million since April 1994–95.