HC Deb 25 January 1996 vol 270 cc360-1W
Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has taken to publicise the social fund to likely applicants; and what is the total expenditure involved. [9486]

Mr. Roger Evans

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr Jim Callaghan, dated 24 January 1996: The Secretary of State of Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what measures he has taken to publicise the Social Fund to likely applicants and what is the total expenditure involved. Social Fund information is produced in partnership with the Department of Social Security. Products include: A 16 page, introductory leaflet entitled "How the Social Fund can help you" produced in English, English/Welsh bilingual and eleven ethnic languages. A detailed, 64 page leaflet "A guide to the Social Fund", published in English. A series of three posters, publicising the help available and outlining the basic conditions people would need to satisfy before they might be eligible for an award from the Social Fund. The leaflets are made available to the public from Benefits Agency (BA) offices. They are also available to welfare advisers, Post Offices, Doctors Surgeries and Libraries external to the BA on request, from BA offices and HMSO, Chadderton. Posters are displayed in Benefits Agency offices and are also available to welfare advisers. The Social Fund publicity budget for 1995–96 is £77,300. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for discretionary social fund awards were refused in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1995 in total and by(a) region and (b) local DSS offices. [9484]

Mr. Evans

The administration of the Social Fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Callaghan, dated 24 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many applications for discretionary Social Fund awards were refused in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994, and (iii) 1995 in total and by (a) region and (b) his local department's offices. The information is not available in the format requested. With the creation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991, former Departmental Local Offices and Regions were grouped into Districts and Area and Territorial Directorates. The information that is available is contained in Annex A - C, for the financial years 1993\94, 1994\95 and 1995\96 year to date. Copies will be placed in the Library. I hope you find this reply helpful.