§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what help is available from the social fund to people on income support who have suffered loss and damage as a result of the recent exceptionally severe weather in the Glasgow area; and if he will make a statement. [16137]
§ Mr. Roger EvansDisaster relief following any such crisis is essentially a matter for the relevant local authority. However, through the social fund, crisis loans can be made available to help individuals in such unfortunate circumstances and community care grants are also available to help those families who find themselves under exceptional pressure. Applications to the social fund are dealt with, as speedily as possible, by specially trained social fund officers who look carefully at the individual circumstances surrounding each application and use discretion and flexibility when forming their decision.
Until 31 January 1996, a total of 967 social fund awards had been made to people in the Glasgow area who had been worst affected by the severe weather, at a cost of £268,308. An individual allocation from the social fund of £268,308 will be made immediately to reimburse those district offices worst affected and we will continue to monitor the whole situation carefully within the limits of funding available.