§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the net value after repayment of loans of the social fund budget for 1994–95; and what percentage this was of the net value of the social fund budget for 1988–89.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe net value of the social fund discretionary budget in 1994–95 was £140 million. This is equivalent to 112 per cent. of the net social fund discretionary budget of £125 million for 1988–89.
The improved recovery of loans means that over this period the gross discretionary budget increased from £203 million to £368 million, an increase of over 81 per cent. The recycling of loans has allowed more people to get more help while protecting the public purse.