§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the total value of the winter heating allowance for each year from 1998–99 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [130142]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information in respect of winter fuel payments, which were introduced in 1997, is in the table.
£ million Winter fuel payments Expenditure 1997–98 191 1998–99 194 1999–2000 759 2000–01 1,749 2001–02 1,692 Estimated expenditure 2002–03 1,712 Forecast expenditure ' 2003–04 1 1,891 2004–05 f 1,911 2005–06 1,933