§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications to the social fund were turned down on the grounds of ability to pay in 1995–96 in(a) Great Britain, (b) east London and (c) Newham; and what percentage of the total applying this figure represented in each case. [982]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe 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.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Stephen Timms, dated 29 October 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many applications to the Social Fund were turned down on the grounds of ability to pay in 1995–96 in (a) Great Britain, (b) East London and (c) Newham; and what percentage of the total applying this figure represented in each case.The information for East London and Newham is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.I have provided at Annex A the national information.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Annex A: number of refusals on the grounds of inability to repay and as a percentage of all applications for the period April 1995 to March 1996 Inability to repay Percentage of total applications National 10,411 0.4 Figures are provisional and subject to change.