§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will (a) list the increases in heating allowances awarded in each year since 1979 including that coming into effect in November 1984, (b) indicate the change in the real value of the allowance in each of those years, (c) list the total amount paid in heating allowance in each of the years and (d) list the number of recipients of the heating allowance in each of the years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information requested is as follows: 1089W
Main rates of heating additions payable from November in each year Actual Increase over previous year† Change in real value over previous year* Number of recipients of HAs at December each year║ Expenditure (financial year) £ per cent. (millions) £ million 1984 2.10 0.05 ‡— ║— (1984–85) 5.20 0.15 ‡— •400 * The index used is the heat and light element of the retail price index. † In November 1980 the number of main rates of heating addition was reduced from three to two. All claimants who had been entitled to the lowest rate received the new basic rate. Other claimants who had received the middle and higher rates received the new higher rate. Compared with the old middle rate the new higher rate was worth 40 per cent, more, but compared with the old highest rate the new higher rate was worth 6.3 per cent, less, after allowing for inflation. ‡RPI for November 1984 is not yet available. ║Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries. Figures not yet available for 1983 or 1984. ¶This amount excludes £34 million spent on the electricity discount scheme. •Estimated. Note: Between November 1978 and November 1983 the basic rate of heating addition increased in value by about 140 per cent. compared with a rise in domestic fuel prices of about 100 per cent. Heating additions are being increased again from 26 November in line with the increase in fuel prices over the year to May 1984.