HC Deb 04 March 1997 vol 291 cc562-3W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the social fund was spent on administration costs in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [17732]

Mr. Roger Evans

The information is set out in the table. Information for 1995–96 will be published in the Social Security departmental report later this month.

Year Administration cost (£ million) Percentage of total gross expenditure Percentage of total gross1 expenditure plus recoveries
1992–93 208 51.9 35.3
1993–94 2270 61.1 41.4
1994–95 209 46.3 30.5
1 The social fund recycles loan repayments to help more people. Since the start of the scheme loans valued at over £1.9 billion have been made for an outlay of £384 million—a multiplier effect of some 5 times.
2 The high administration cost for 1993–94 was largely due to expenditure on the new social fund computer system.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the budget of the social fund for the financial year 1997–98. [18237]

Mr. Evans

Details of the discretionary social fund budget for 1997–98 will be announced later this month.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the budget of the social fund in each of the last five years. [18238]

Mr. Evans

The information is set out in the table:

£ million
Year Grants budget Gross loans budget1 In-year allocation (loans) Total gross loans budget
1992–93 91 211 15 225
1993–94 95 251 0 251
1994–95 97 255 15 270
1995–96 97 309 0 309
1996–97 97 322.5 21 343.5
1 Includes contingency reserve.