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House of Commons
Session 2000-2001
Publications on the internet
Social Security Committee Publications

Social Security - Third Report

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 27 March 2001.


CONTENTS


Terms of Reference

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

THIRD REPORT

A Lifeline For The Poor - Or The Fund That Likes to Say No?

The Regulated Social Fund

Funeral Payments

Winter Fuel Payments

The Discretionary Social Fund

Expenditure

Number of awards

The cash-limited nature of the Discretionary Social Fund

How decisions are made  

Community Care Grants - The Postcode and Calendar Lottery

Direction 4

Priority

The budget

A postcode lottery

A calendar lottery

Budgeting Loans

Weightings

Crisis Loans

Amount

Repayment And Rescheduling of Loans

Administration of the Discretionary Social Fund

People turned away

Which type of Discretionary Social Fund payment to apply for?

Inaccurate information and advice from BA staff

The need for better advice and assistance to Social Fund claimants

Better information concerning Social Fund decisions

Training and retention of staff

Monitoring the quality of service to Social Fund customers

IT Systems

Reviews and Appeals

Organisational Change

Options for the Future

Benefit levels

The case for grants

The role of the Social Fund in tackling financial exclusion

Conclusion

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE REPORT

LIST OF WITNESSES

LIST OF MEMORANDA PRINTED WITH THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

LIST OF APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

LIST OF MEMORANDA REPORTED TO THE HOUSE BUT NOT PUBLISHED

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE


 
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Prepared 4 April 2001