§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in tenements in Scotland have received half their entitlement to the winter fuel payment because of a computer error relating to residents in separate tenement flats at the same street number; and what action is being taken to ensure they are paid their full entitlement as soon as possible and that the problem will not recur. [25871]
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ensure all eligible people in a household receive the correct level of winter fuel payment, the addresses are matched to ascertain how many people live at each address. The Department is aware that there have been problems regarding people living in tenements in Scotland and, to alleviate this, the Department clerically matches the addresses in areas where there are many tenement flats. This should ensure that the correct payment is made, and this system ought to prevent problems reoccurring. We are unable to provide the figure in the form requested but where an underpayment has come to light, corrective action has been taken.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money is estimated to have been overpaid in winter fuel payments in each year since 1997(a) to people who have been paid more than they are entitled and (b) to people who are ineligible for the benefit; and how much of this money has been recovered[27762]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe information requested is not available in the format requested.
The Department makes every effort to ensure that addresses are matched with household composition to avoid overpayments. Where we become aware of either overpayments or underpayments, corrective action is taken to put it right and prevent this reoccurring.