§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the amount of money paid out in the last financial year by way of severe weather payments, the number of claims successfully made, the number of claims refused and the equivalent figures for the previous year.
§ Mr. ScottThe information which is available is as follows:
1985–86
- Total number of payments: 458,061
- Total amount of benefit paid: £11,633,541
Notes:
- (1) Payments made in this year were in respect of a prolonged period of exceptionally severe weather which lasted for most of February.
- (2) Information on the number of claims refused is not available.
1986–87
- Total number of £5 payments: 2,040,372
- Total amount of benefit paid: £10,201,860
Notes:
- (1) Payments were available in respect of 2 weeks of very cold weather in January. In some areas, payments were available for a third or fourth week.
- (2) Precise information on the number of successful claims is not available, but it is estimated that the number of claimants receiving help was approximately 950,000.
Information on the number of claims refused in 1986–87 will be available shortly, and I will write to the hon. Member.