HC Deb 08 March 1984 vol 55 cc683-4W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) which state benefits contain a notional fuel element;

(2) what is the average value of the heating addition, and the maximum allowable addition;

(3) what is the annual cost of the notional fuel element of all benefits in the most recent financial year available and the cost of the heating additions at the most recent available date.

Dr. Boyson

Fuel costs are part of the normal day-to-day expenses for which income maintenance social security benefits are provided, but there is no separately identifiable element in the normal rates of any benefit which is specifically provided for fuel. Supplementary benefit heating additions at various rates are, however, payable to those on supplementary benefit who need extra warmth. The highest rate paid is £8.20 which is the rate given to householders living on estates with heating systems which are recognised by the Secretary of State to be disproportionately expensive to run and whose homes have five or more rooms. The higher rate given on health grounds or because the claimant's home is exceptionally difficult to heat is £5.05. In December 1982, the latest date for which information is available, the average value of heating additions was £2.54; at that time the rates of heating addition referred to above were £7.60 and £4.65 respectively. We expect to spend about £380 million this financial year on supplementary benefit heating additions.

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