§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether married women in receipt of small graduated pensions will be eligible to receive the increase in pension directly attributable to the imposition of VAT on domestic heating fuel.
§ Mr. HagueThe extra help for VAT on domestic fuel will be paid as an addition to the rate of basic retirement pension or income-related benefit. Married women who receive graduated retirement benefit with either a basic retirement pension or an income-related benefit will receive the extra help. Those receiving graduated retirement benefit only will receive no increase beyond normal price indexation.