§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many representations he has received objecting to his intention to double the average scale margin applied to certain social security benefits; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many representations he has received objecting to his intention to apply the average scale margin to heating allowances; if he will reconsider his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have received about 260 letters, including about 220 from hon. and right hon. Members, about the changes we are making to the available scale margin in November. The majority of these representations does not not distinguish between the increase in the margin and its application to heating additions. We have no plans to reconsider the decision to apply the margin to heating additions. The reasons for the changes we are introducing were explained by my right hon. Friend in his statement to the House on 18 June at column 21. These changes formed only one part of the package announced by my right hon. Friend, the full effect of which was to increase expenditure on social security by some £1,600 million.