§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to ensure that the rates for heating allowances due to be introduced in November 1975 are increased further in line with the recent rises in the cost of living.
§ Mr. Meacher,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 4th July 1975; Vol. 894, c. 594], circulated the following information:
Provision for normal heating requirements is included in supplementary benefit scale rates which are being increased in November by the same cash amounts as the main national insurance benefits. The forthcoming increase of 37½ per cent. in extra heating additions, payable under the discretionary powers of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, takes account of the overall movement of the fuel component of the retail prices index, irrespective of the rises of particular fuels, and of further price rises that had been announced when the new rates were fixed. The commission will be keeping the levels of extra heating additions under review.