§ 13. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will, in conjunction with the chairmen of the fuel boards, now consider arrangements whereby those on low incomes, including the retired, would be able to pay a reduced amount for fuel during the winter months.
§ Mr. GrayThe Government are spending around £325 million this year in direct assistance with fuel bills for those most in need.
§ Mr. WinnickIs the Minister aware of the tremendous difficulties faced by many people on low incomes, particularly the retired, in trying to meet their fuel bills during the winter months? Will the Minister and the Secretary of State bear in mind that there are 750,000 pensioners who, because of their low income, receive rent and rate rebates, but no supplementary benefit, and do not get a penny in assistance for fuel purposes during the winter months or, indeed, at any other time? Why should they have to face the misery of the winter months without any help from the Government?
§ Mr. GrayThe hon. Gentleman is not being completely fair in his comments, and I am sure that he would wish to be.
The current assistance scheme is the most generous ever in real terms. It helps 2.25 million consumers, including 1.5 million pensioners. Direct help to pensioners amounts to more than £200 million this year. The help averages about £100 per recipient. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will compare that record with the Labour Government's electricity discount scheme, which provided only £37 million in the final year, averaged only £7.50 per recipient and gave help with only one fuel.