HC Deb 08 February 2001 vol 362 cc695-6W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on pensioners' incomes of reducing the winter fuel allowance by £50. [148483]

Mr. Rooker

Our reform of the pensions system demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that all pensioners share in the rising prosperity of the country, and to combating pensioner poverty. This year the Winter Fuel Payment is £200. This is double the amount paid last winter, 1999–2000, to qualifying households. The Winter Fuel Payment will continue to play an important role in the fight against fuel poverty and will mean that older people should not have to worry about keeping their homes warm over the winter months. The Winter Fuel Payment, which the hon. Member opposes, has proved to be extremely popular. We shall announce our proposals for this winter in due course in the usual way.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims had been made by people living in the Southport constituency for the winter fuel allowance by 26 January; [148591]

(2) how many (a) men and (b) women living in the Southport constituency are entitled to receive winter fuel allowance. [148592]

Mr. Rooker

Information regarding how many claims were made by 26 January is not available in constituency format and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The latest information we have is that around 22,500 people in the Southport constituency have already received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter. Claims are still being received and processed therefore payments continue to be made. This information is not available for men and women separately.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if all payments for the winter fuel allowance have been paid; and if he will make a statement. [149479]

Mr. Rooker

Around 11 million Winter Fuel Payments have been made in respect of this winter. As promised, all automatic payments, where clear entitlement was established, were made before Christmas. The same applies to payments in respect of successful claims determined by 9 November 2000. Claims continue to be received and processed, therefore payments continue to be made. In the minority of cases where a person's circumstances changed between the qualifying week and the payment week, cases are dealt with clerically.