§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many pensioners on income support in the West Chelmsford constituency received outdated giros to pay for their winter fuel bills; and when they can expect to receive their new giros; [26545]
(2) how much it will cost the Exchequer to rectify the sending of out-of-date giros to pensioners for winter fuel bills; [26546]
(3) how many pensioners have been adversely affected by the error in the cheques sent to pensioners receiving the additional money to help with their winter fuel bills; and when she expects them to receive their money; [26547]
(4) if she will make a statement on the reasons for the computer error that has led to the sending of out-of-date giros for winter fuel payments to pensioners on income support. [26548]
§ Mr. DenhamWinter fuel payments are one of a number of initiatives the Government have taken to help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, keep warm in the winter. This is the first time any Government have made a payment to all pensioners towards their heating costs.
This is an enormous and unprecedented exercise, involving the making of around 10 million payments to over seven million pensioner households at a total cost of around £200 million.
A problem occurred earlier this week which has now been rectified. Replacement girocheques along with an apology have been sent to all of the 40,801 pensioners who received out-of-date cheques.
No pensioners in receipt of Income Support in the West Chelmsford constituency should have received outdated giros for winter fuel payments.
I have set up an investigation into the error.
The administration of winter fuel payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 30 January 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the computer error that led to the issue of out-of-date giros for Winter Fuel payments, the cost to the Exchequer to rectify the position and in particular the number of pensioners on Income Support in your constituency who received outdated giros.You may find it helpful if I explain that the Benefits Agency is currently engaged in issuing Winter Fuel Payments to around ten million pensioners. Priority has been given to issuing payments to the poorest pensioners—the 1.5 million who are receiving Income Support. All those payments have now been issued and should be received by the end of this week.495WComputer services are provided by an external contractor through the Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) on behalf of the Department. An error by a computer operator led to out-of-date girocheques being sent to 40,801 pensioners in receipt of Income Support. This was an isolated incident which is confined to these customers. Arrangements have been made for pensioners to receive replacement girocheques by 31 January 1998.The five Benefits Agency District offices affected by the computer error are listed below:Clyde Coast and Renfrew District, which includes offices of Greenock, Port Glasgow and Renfrew.Ealing District, which includes the offices of Ealing, Acton, Nottinghill and Southall.Glasgow East District, which includes the offices of Shettleston, Bridgeton and Provan.West Pennine District, which includes the offices of Bury, Manchester Middleton and Rochdale.Palace District, which includes the offices of Fulham, Crystal Palace, Dulwich, Kensington and Peckham.The cost of remedial action will be borne by the supplier. A full investigation is now taking place.I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice(a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) other Ministers in the Treasury received from civil servants on the consistency of the proposed winter fuel payments for pensioners campaign with the Civil Service rules on Government advertising; and if she will make a statement. [26792]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Civil Service rules on Government advertising clearly state that it is right and proper for governments to use public funds for publicity and advertising to explain their policies and to inform the public of the government services available to them and of their rights and liabilities.
Within this Department a multi-media campaign was recommended, in accordance with guidelines, as the most cost effective way of making sure that pensioners had information about Winter Fuel Payments. Pensioners need to know what payments are coming to them, how and when, in order to make informed decisions about how to heat their homes.