§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken to assist persons with low incomes, who receive rent or rate rebates instead of supplementary benefits, with payment of their winter electricity bills in the same way as those persons receiving supplementary benefits and family income supplements.
§ Dr. John CunninghamOver 3 million people receive rent or rate rebates and most have incomes significantly above the 381W supplementary benefit level. It is not possible within the limited funds available to extend the electricity discount to these people, but some of those who receive rebates might qualify for supplementary benefit and are free to change over if they believe that benefits such as help with electricity bills make it worth their while to do so.