§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many funeral payments from the social fund for payment towards funeral directors' fees equivalent to the maximum contribution allowable have been paid in each of the last five years, in Scotland. [8587]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 15 January 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many Funeral Payments from the Social Fund for payment towards funeral director's fees equivalent to the maximum contribution allowable have been paid in each of the last five years, in Scotland.£500 is the maximum contribution that can be included in a Funeral Payment towards funeral director's fees. This limit was introduced on 5 June 1995 along with other changes to the Funeral Payment scheme. Prior to this date, payments were made at the discretion of the Adjudication Officer and no distinction was made between that part of a Funeral Payment which related to funeral director's fees and other costs.The available information is in the enclosed Table A which shows the number of Funeral Payments paid in Scotland, in each month since 5 June 1995, where the amount paid towards the funeral director's fees has been restricted to £500.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Table A Month Number of cases June 41 July 260 August 410 September 351 October 416 November 364 December 333 Total 2,175 The number of Funeral Payments made in Scotland since June 1995 where that part of the award relating to funeral director's fees has been restricted to £500.