§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What increase they propose to make in the supplementary benefit heating addition in view of the proposed increases in energy prices.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)Supplementary benefit heating additions were increased by about 8 per cent. in November852WA 1983. Since 1978 heating additions have been increased by about 140 per cent. compared with an increase in fuel prices of about 100 per cent., and are now worth more than ever before. They will be increased again next November by reference to the increase in the fuel and light element of the retail prices index in the year ending May 1984.