§ 10. Mr. Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley)How many pensioners in Chorley will benefit from the winter fuel payment. [141810]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Mr. Jeff Rooker)Some 17,600 winter fuel payments have been made to people in Chorley who are entitled to them.
§ Mr. HoyleI welcome that. The payment is warmly welcomed in Chorley and its residents look forward to it being paid in years to come. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that that will be the case for the lifetime of this Government and that, unlike the Conservatives, we are committed to providing that payment?
§ Mr. RookerYes, following the exchanges on Question 4, it is clear that we are committed to that payment. It is extremely popular and it gets money to people over the age of 60. I do not want to fall out with you, Mr. Speaker, but I hope that that is taken on board by my hon. Friend's Tory opponent at the general election.