HC Deb 22 March 2004 vol 419 c572W
Peter Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people over(a) 60 years and (b) 80 years are in receipt of the winter fuel allowance in The Wrekin. [162774]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is as set out in the table below.

Winter Fuel payment
Number of people over 60 Number of people over 80
2003–04 17,116 3,220

Source: IAD Information Centre,100 percent sample.

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures taken from the Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuels Payment 2003/2004 exercise 100 per data.
  2. 2. Figures are rounded t0 the nearest five.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of(a) payment errors and (b) overpayments of winter fuel allowance to older people. [162074]

Malcolm Wicks

During winter 2002–03 some 11,356,000 winter fuel payments were made. About 0.4 per cent. (48,972) were incorrect. Those pensioners who were underpaid were sent further payments when the facts were established. In a very small proportion of cases there was overprovision because for example, some recipients' circumstances had changed or duplicate payments had been made in error.

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