ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses upon a review ordered by the then Labour Secretary of State for Social Services, Richard Crossman, in 1969 that was to examine the possibility of replacing some grants for exceptional circumstances and needs within the SB scheme with loans. It also examines why Crossman thought it would be desirable to replace some payments under the supplementary benefit (SB) scheme with loans. The chapter argues that following his general approach while Minister for Social Services Crossman viewed grants to cover some exceptional circumstances additions (ECA) and exceptional needs payments (ENP) as creating inequities between claimants something that was of wider concern in relationship to the administration of discretionary payments. The chapter explains the review by officials of the possibility of introducing loans of SB. It examines the mainly administrative reasons why extending loans to people in receipt of SB was rejected.