HC Deb 20 March 1997 vol 292 cc889-90W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the exact budgetary provisions made for the extra child care allowance available for two of the public sector pilots in the parent plus scheme. [19833]

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

On a provisional basis, £240,000 has been allocated from the parent plus budget to cover the cost of essential child care costs incurred during activities associated with the scheme. This amount is not cash limited and will be reviewed if necessary. There is no restriction on the number who claim it, or on the number of times an individual lone parent may claim. since and; how many people have lost their (a) IVB and (b) IB in each benefit district in Wales since the introduction of the IB; and what are the estimated savings which have accrued. Information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are not kept separately for customer's formerly in receipt of IVB and customer's claiming IB. The available information is shown in the attached tables. I hope you find this reply helpful.

The total amount allocated has been apportioned based on the number of lone parents claiming income support in the two areas concerned: £95,700 has been allocated to north Worcestershire and £144,700 to Warwickshire.