§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average payment made to claimants under the discretionary social fund for funeral expenses since June 1995. [19882]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out in the table.
Average size of awards (£) (excluding Northern Ireland) Award type Flowers/ wreath Funeral expenses Other Average payment Community care grant 50.00 62.80 100.00 70.93 Budgeting loan 37.15 345.14 71.27 141.44 Crisis loan 57.33 217.21 — 121.28 Sub-total loans 40.94 316.71 71.27 137.56 Total 41.47 291.32 85.64 130.67 1. The information covers awards in the period between 5 June and 1 August 1995. It includes help with flowers/wreaths, funeral directors fees and other expenses.
2. Funeral expenses covered by the regulated scheme were specifically excluded from the discretionary Fund from 2 August 1995.