§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the amount of money available to(a) the Community Care Grant and (b) the Budgeting Loan budget. [85289]
§ Malcolm WicksI have been asked to reply.
The discretionary Social Fund provides people on low incomes with grants and loans to help them manage a wide range of unexpected or occasional costs, including the purchase of beds and cookers, depending on their individual circumstances.
918WOn 27 November, we announced that from April 2003, £90 million will be added to the discretionary Fund over the three years to 2005–06. This extra investment will enhance the fund's ability to help those on low incomes manage their finances.
We have already introduced a number of important changes to the Social Fund. We have simplified the budgeting loan scheme so that all applicants who satisfy the qualifying conditions, and have no outstanding Social Fund debt, will be offered a loan. We have also extended the qualifying conditions for community care grants to help people setting up home in the community who have been without a settled way of life.