§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list (a) the numbers claiming help with their heating bills last year and if he will also list his estimate of the numbers who will claim under the new scheme and (b) the average value of benefit to claimants under each of the schemes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is estimated that some 4½ million people claimed payments under the electricity discount scheme earlier this year, and that the average payment received was £7.50; and that, in addition to the £105 million a year which is currently being paid out in supplementary benefit heating additions, some 345,000220W more claimants will receive either a heating addition of 95p per week or a £1 increase in family income supplement, as announced by my right hon. Friend on 22 October, worth £49.40 and £52 respectively for these claimants over the 12 months from 12 November.—[Vol. 972. c. 35–6.]