§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement outlining the details of the scheme in the current year to govern the payment of severe weather allowances.
§ Mr. ScottThe current scheme for exceptionally cold weather payments is set out in the Supplementary Benefits (Single Payments) Amendment Regulations 1986 [SI 1986 No. 1961].
For this winter we plan to make it easier for claimants to get help during repeat periods of exceptionally cold weather. We intend to provide that, where a successful 465W claim is made in respect of one period of exceptionally cold weather, that claim will remain valid in respect of subsequent periods of cold weather during the winter. At the same time we will be correcting a number of technical errors in the description of areas covered by particular weather stations. This will not change the links between local offices and weather stations themselves. Regulations to make these changes will be laid before the House shortly.