Written question asked by Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 March 1996. It was answered by Roger Evans (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 1996 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What was the average size of loans from the Discretionary Social Fund for additional funeral expenses since June 1995. - Table given. (Holding answer 12 March 1996).

Answer: Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average size of loans from the discretionary social fund for additional funeral expenses since June 1995.[19881] Mr.Roger Evans: [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The information is set out in the table: Average size of applications (excluding Northern Ireland) (£) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Application type Average application for Average application for Average application for Average size of all flowers/ funeral expenses other expenses applications wreath Community care grant 32.20 499.42 50.00 136.95 Budgeting loan 38.83 383.87 80.94 188.05 Dual application 34.69 434.85 113.64 150.69 Crisis loan 40.49 250.17 50.00 98.23 Sub-total loans + DAs 36.42 395.59 93.31 153.84 Total 34.96 420.10 86.47 148.66 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1. Applications may result in an award of a different payment type. Dual applications are applications for both a community care grant and a budgeting loan. 2. The information covers applications in the period between 5 June and 1 August 1995. It includes help with flowers, wreaths, funeral directors fees and other expenses. 3. Funeral expenses covered by the regulated scheme were specifically excluded from the discretionary fund from 2 August 1995.

Secondary information