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Social Fund
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money was lent on social fund loans at the last date for which figures are available; how many people have such loans; what is the average loan at the time of issue; what is the average repayment period; and what assessment has been made of the take-up of these loans over the past two years. [17730]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is set out in the tables:
| Budgeting loans | Crisis loans | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of awards | 767,000 | 644,000 |
| Total amount awarded | £231 million | £43 million |
| Average payment(14) | £301 | £66 |
| Average length of repayment for loan repaid during this period | 22.7 weeks | 14.5 weeks |
(14) Figures may not sum due to rounding.
1. The number of discretionary awards made after review is not included.
| Year | Budgeting loan | Crisis loan |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 864,000 | 755,000 |
| 1995-96 | 921,000 | 832,000 |
5 Mar 1997 : Column: 641
Jobseeker's Allowance
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent review he has undertaken of the effects of the introduction of jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement. [17854]
Mr. Roger Evans: In line with the Government's commitment to evaluating all new policies, we have set in place an extensive programme of monitoring and evaluation, to assess whether the jobseeker's allowance is achieving its policy objectives.
A wide-ranging evaluation is being undertaken which includes a national survey of unemployed claimants conducted before and after the introduction of the benefit.
Both the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service have an extensive monitoring programme in place to assess its implementation and performance.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received from MIND proposing changes to the housing benefit regulations; and what the proposed changes were.[18371]
Mr. Roger Evans:
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has received one representation from the Coventry branch of MIND about the proposed changes to housing benefit which will restrict the amount of rent which will be used to calculate housing benefit for most single people under age 60 living in the deregulated private rented sector. This representation expressed concern that people with chronic enduring mental illness may be detrimentally affected by the proposed changes.
MIND has also made representations to the Social Security Advisory Committee on the proposed changes. The Government have just received the committee's report and will study it carefully before taking final decisions.
Mr. Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what analysis the Government have undertaken of the effect of (a) recent and (b) planned changes to housing benefit on people with mental health problems living within the community. [18426]
Mr. Evans:
The Government are collecting data to monitor the impact of the housing benefit changes which were introduced last October. The monitoring exercise will be extended to cover future changes. The results will be analysed and will be placed in the Library. In addition, the Government are putting a series of research projects in place to evaluate the long-term effects of the changes and the use of discretionary funds to prevent exceptional hardship. The information collected will not focus specifically upon people with mental health problems. The results are expected next year.
The Government have also set up an inter-departmental review to look at the funding of supported accommodation, and as part of this exercise research is being undertaken to quantify the contribution made by housing benefit to the provision of supported accommodation for all client groups.
5 Mar 1997 : Column: 642
Mr. Olner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of the net present value of (a) additional expenditure on SERPS pension and (b) savings made from reduced expenditure on national insurance rebates and incentives paid on contributions made to appropriate personal pensions payments in (i) 2025, (ii) 2030, (iii) 2040 and (iv) 2050, if (1) all and (2) half of those earning under £10,000 per annum currently opted out of SERPS into APPs were to rejoin SERPS. [15592]
Mr. Heald
[holding Answer 14 February 1997]: We estimate that the net present value of additional SERPS expenditure if all holders of appropriate personal pensions--APPs--who earn under £10,000 were to join SERPS would be £110 million in 2025-26; £80 million in 2030-31; £10 million in 2040-41 and zero in 2050-51. The additional SERPS expenditure if half of those APP holders earning under £10,000 were to join SERPS is estimated at £50 million in 2025-26; £40 million in 2031-32; zero in 2040-41 and 2050-51.
We estimate that the net present value of reduced expenditure on national insurance rebates if all holders of APPs who earn under £10,000 were to join SERPS would be £170 million in 2025-26; £130 million in 2030-31; £10 million in 2040-41 and zero in 2050-51. The reduced expenditure if half of those APP holders earning under £10,000 were to join SERPS is estimated at £80 million in 2025-26; £60 million in 2031-32; £10 million in 2040-41 and zero in 2050-51.
The costings assume that those holding APPs in 1996-97 would otherwise continue as APP holders in the projected period. In addition, they are assumed to have the same real earnings in these future years as they did in the base year. All figures are expressed in 1996-97 prices, discounted.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical examinations for the purpose of the all work test were carried out in November 1996 by doctors who were members of disability appeal tribunals.[13325]
Mr. Roger Evans
[pursuant to his reply 30 January, Official Report, c 362-63]: In November 1996, 2,399 all work test examinations were conducted doctors undertaking work for Benefits Agency medical services on a fee-paid sessional basis who are also members of disability appeal tribunals.
Sources:
15. Mr. Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future management of the water and sewerage services in Scotland. [17327]
5 Mar 1997 : Column: 643
Mr. Kynoch:
The new structure for water and sewerage services which we have put in place is designed to be durable and efficient.
16. Sir Ralph Howell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what role he plans for the Secretary of State for Scotland at future meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee. [17328]
Mr. Michael Forsyth:
I will ensure that the Scottish Grand Committee continues to bring government closer to the Scottish people and make it more accountable to them.
21. Mr. Matthew Banks:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the work of the Scottish Grand Committee over the last year. [17334]
Mr. Forsyth:
In the last year the Scottish Grand Committee has assumed a pivotal role in making government more accountable to the Scottish people and strengthening the Union.
30. Mr. Congdon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the contribution of the Scottish Grand Committee to the accountability of his Department. [17344]
Mr. Forsyth:
The Scottish Grand Committee is a powerful Committee of this House. Its enhanced role has ensured closer scrutiny and accountability of the work of my Department.
17. Mr. Galloway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the unemployment situation in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [17329]
Mr. Kynoch:
My right hon. Friend meets representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress from time to time to discuss a range of issues. There are no current plans for a meeting.
29. Mr. John Marshall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the level of unemployment in Scotland. [17343]
Mr. Kynoch:
The seasonally adjusted level of unemployment in Scotland has fallen by more than 24,100 since April 1996 and is well below the European Union average.
Independent Tribunal Service
Benefits Agency Medical Services.
Note:
Data are provisional and subject to change.
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