§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to alter the working of the arrangements for severe weather payments so far in the current winter.
§ Mr. ScottThere are no plans to amend the current scheme for exceptionally cold weather payments before it ends in April. The Social Security Bill currently before Parliament provides for payments in respect of cold weather to be made after this winter from the social fund. The details of the new scheme will be decided later this year.