§ Mr. Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many single (a) women and (b) men in 2003 will reach the age of 60 years after the qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, but before 25 December. [143085]
§ Malcolm Wicks:It is estimated that around 23,000 single women and 18,000 single men will reach the age of 60 after the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2003 but before 25 December 2003 in Great Britain.
We estimate around 11.5 million people will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter and 11,316,111 payments have been issued to date.
700WNotes:
1. The figures have been calculated using the latest GAD population projections and the 2001 Census data.
2. Those recorded by the Census as being widowed or divorced have been included as being single.
3. The figure for entitlement should not be used to calculate take-up: It is an estimate and therefore subject to margins of error, the number of recipients will rise as late claims are processed.
§ Mr. Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many single (a) women and (b) men in 2003 will reach the age of 80 years after the qualifying week for the 80 + Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, but before 25 December. [143086]
§ Malcolm Wicks:It is estimated that around 36,000 single women and 12,000 single men will reach the age of 80 after the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2003 but before 25 December 2003 in Great Britain.
We estimate over two million people in Great Britain will be eligible for the 80 + Annual Payment this winter and almost all have received their extra entitlement with their Winter Fuel Payment.
Notes:
1. The figures have been calculated using the latest GAD population projections and the 2001 Census data.
2. Those recorded by the Census as being widowed or divorced have been included as being single.
3. Virtually all cases aged over 79 will be in receipt of State Retirement Pension, or another DWP benefit, and will therefore be paid automatically.