Discretionary Social Fund

HC Deb 23 March 2004 vol 419 cc739-40W

Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the net budget is for the Discretionary Social Fund for(a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06. [162947]

Mr. Pond

The discretionary Social Fund plays an important role in the Government's agenda for tackling poverty and social exclusion by helping the poorest members of society meet the cost of occasional one-off essential items through Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans.

The net discretionary Social Fund budget is £168.2 million for 2004–05 and £178.2 million for 2005–06. A written statement about the gross discretionary Social Fund budget for 2004–05 and its breakdown will be made in due course.