HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 c665W
Tony Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost would be of extending winter fuel payments to those families who receive disability living allowance. [78645]

Maria Eagle

We estimate that the cost of extending Winter Fuel Payments to people under 60 who are receiving any rate of Disability Living Allowance would be around £270 million a year.

Notes:

Based on the 2000–2001 Family Resources Survey and data taken from DWP administrative records for November 2001 and May 2002.

Assumes that the payment is made to claimants in receipt of any rate of DLA who are aged under 60.

Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if the departmental computer error affecting the entitlement to the winter fuel payment of residents in separate tenement flats at the same street number has been rectified. [80083]

Mr. McCartney

It is not a question of a computer error but one of how we determine the number of eligible occupants of tenement flats in Scotland. This year, to ensure that the correct Winter Fuel Payments are made to people living in tenements in Scotland, staff have clerically intervened in the process.

Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects pensioners to receive the winter fuel allowance this winter. [80089]

Mr. McCartney

The first payments were issued on 4 November, and payments will continue to be sent out over the next few weeks. The vast majority of eligible people, including those who receive payments automatically, will receive their payment before Christmas.

Mr. Caton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money has been paid as winter fuel allowance to UK citizens living abroad since the allowance was introduced. [79156]

Mr. McCartney

To date, we have paid Winter Fuel Payments totalling £154,200 to 2,040 eligible people who are now living in an European Economic Area country other than the UK.