§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the total expenditure during 1985 on all heating additions (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Scotland.
§ Mr. LyellThe latest available information on receipt of heating additions in Great Britain is for December 1984. A copy of the annual statistical inquiry for that year is in the Library. It is estimated that expenditure in Great Britain in 1984–85 was approximately £400 million. I regret that no separate estimate is available of expenditure on heating additions in Scotland.
Information in respect of Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rates of heating additions are presently available; and how many people in Scotland received each category of heating addition in 1984.
§ Mr. LyellThe detailed criteria for receiving heating additions are contained in regulations 11–12 and schedule 4 (part I) of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations (SI 1983 No. 1399). The rates of addition presently available are shown in the table. Where a claimant is receiving the long-term rate, the available scale margin, presently £1, is offset against the value of additional requirements (including heating additions, with the exception of those paid in respect of children under five). I shall let the right hon. Member have a reply concerning heating additions paid in Scotland in 1984 as soon as possible.
Rates of heating addition (July 1986) Type of heating addition Rate £ Health and/or accommodation heating addition Basic rate 2.20 Higher rate 5.55 Disabled persons heating addition 5.55 Sick or disabled persons heating addition 2.20 Age related heating addition Child under 5 2.20 Householder over 65 2.20 Householder over 85 5.55 Estate rate heating addition 1–4 rooms 4.40 5 rooms or over 8.80 Central heating addition1 1–4 rooms 2.20 5 rooms or over 4.40 Specific charge heating additions Varies depending on charge 1 Payable only to those continuously entitled to a central heating addition since before 5 August 1985.