HC Deb 21 October 1999 vol 336 cc614-5W
Mr. Caplin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce the outcome of the annual review of the cold weather payments scheme; and if he will make a statement. [95495]

Angela Eagle

Following advice from the Meteorological Office, the annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme has now been completed. Amending regulations were laid on 11 October 1999 and will come into force on 1 November, in time for the beginning of the winter period.

Four of the weather stations used in the scheme last winter have been replaced. Abbotsinch (Glasgow Airport), Turnhouse (Edinburgh Airport), Portland and Southampton. They will be replaced respectively by the stations at Bishopton, Edinburgh Gogarbank, Isle of Portland and Thorney Island. Thorney Island is an existing weather station which is already used in the scheme. In addition, a station at Lake Vyrnwy in North Wales has been added to the scheme to improve representation in that area. There have also been some changes by Royal Mail to postcodes which have been reflected in the amending regulations.

Cold weather payments are separate from, and in addition to, winter fuel payments which are paid only to pensioners.

I have written to each of the hon. Members affected by the changes.