§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo 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 fire on the Golf Links estate, Southall; and if he will make a statement. [14380]
§ 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 those in such unfortunate circumstances and community care grants are also available to help those who find themselves under 579W 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 decisions.
On January 18, Ealing district reported that a total of 79 community care grant awards had been made to people most affected by the fire, at a total cost of £56,819. I have therefore agreed to a request for an additional allocation of £50,000 to reimburse Ealing's community care grant budget.