To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what mechanisms are in place to evaluate the effects of changes to the disabled facilities grant system published in February 2008; (263569)

The Government regard the disabled facilities grant programme as an important means to help disabled and older people continue to live as independently as possible by having their homes adapted. That is why we have increased the budget to enable more older and disabled people to receive the assistance they require. The effect of the annual grant increase will in part be assessed through the collection of data showing the number of grants awarded. We do not collect data on the time it takes an authority to deliver a disabled facilities grant as circumstances will vary from case to case but recognise that due to budgetary pressures delays in delivery can sometimes occur. The increase in the budget should help to address delays. Other data collected from local authorities will give an indication as to the effect of the wider changes made to the programme such as the relaxation of the grant conditions. We have also set up a group of nine local authorities to evaluate some of the changes to the programme announced in February 2008. The local authorities are assisting with the piloting of the removal of the grant ring fence. The pilot will run for 18 months and a full evaluation will follow prior to any possible implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was (a) budgeted and (b) spent on disabled facilities grant in each year since its introduction. (263602)

The Government regard the Disabled Facilities Grant programme as an important means to help disabled and older people continue to live as independently as possible by having their homes adapted. That is why we have more than doubled the Government funds available for the programme from £57 million in 1997 to £146 million in 2008 with an increase of £10 million in each of the subsequent years making the budget £166 million by 2010. Details of the grant contributions by Communities and Local Government can be found on the Department’s website at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/supportandadaptations/housingadaptations/localauthoritydfgallocations/