§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total of heating additions for pensioners for the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LyellThe following is the information:
The total number of heating additions paid to supplementary pensioners 000s 1980 1,450 1981 1,558 1982 1,567 1983 1,442 1984 1,493 Source: Annual Statistical Inquiry.
§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, when calculating the level of supplementary benefit, what specific consideration is given to heating costs; and how this is calculated.
§ Mr. MajorThe supplementary benefit scale rates are uprated in line with increases in the retail price index (excluding housing costs) which, among other things, reflects changes in fuel costs. Heating additions are reviewed separately against movements in the fuel element of the price index.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to (a) simplify the qualifying requirements for fuel allowances and (b) remove the average temperature level assessment, and establish the principle of direct payments for all retirement pensioners during the winter period.
§ Mr. MajorThis Government have simplified the system of weekly heating additions for supplementary benefit claimants by introducing automatic entitlement for certain groups, including householders aged 65 or over, long-term sick or disabled people, and families who have a child under five. These additions are paid throughout the year.
For payment in periods of exceptionally cold weather I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 20 November at columns 326–27.