Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 28 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 December 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 19 December 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will commission research into the impact of Social Fund repayments on the (a) standard of living and (b) indebtedness of recipients of budgeting loans. - Includes ref to Department's Research Report Series, Report numbers 125 and 172, in Library.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will commission research into the impact of Social Fund repayments on the (a) standard of living and (b) indebtedness of recipients of budgeting loans. [85151] Malcolm Wicks: The Department has already carried out qualitative research on the Social Fund which included the views of budgeting loan recipients on repayment rates. Findings from this research are published in the Department's Research Report Series, Report numbers 125 and 172, copies of which are available in the Library. The Department's annual Families and Children Survey collects detailed information on families' and children's living standards and debt, including outstanding budgeting loans. Four reports are due to be published in the new year from the 2001 survey, one of which will focus on living standards and hardship issues. Copies of the reports will be placed in the Library as they are published.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 85151; 396 c1021W;396 c1019W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Social Fund Repayments Research Standard of living Budgeting loans
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk