---

Social Fund

Answer

Funding has been provided for new, better targeted local provision through arrangements made by upper tier local authorities in England and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. It is for local authorities to decide how they advertise and operate schemes and it is for local authorities to satisfy themselves that the measures they are taking meet their statutory obligations. My Department has no role in how they are run.

However, so that claimants can get timely access to the support available from both the Department and the new provision in their communities we continue to promote awareness of the new arrangements. This includes messages on the Department's telephone enquiry lines, scripts for DWP staff to use in Jobcentres and call centres, messages on customer letters, and information on the benefits pages on the www.gov.uk website. At a local level Jobcentre Plus staff work very closely with local authorities and the devolved nations to support them in delivering their schemes.

Steps taken prior to the changes being introduced included holding many workshops around the country with local authorities and the devolved Administrations. At these we discussed how the funding could be put to the best use. Additionally, the settlement letter issued to each local authority with details of their funding provided further clarity on the purpose of the funding.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

180213; 572 c491W

Session

2013-14

Subjects

Community care grants Social Fund Crisis loans

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk