§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the operation of the cold weather payments scheme in Scotland.
§ Mr. ScottThe social fund cold weather payments scheme covers the whole of Great Britain. There are no differences in the way it operates in Scotland.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advertising has been undertaken by his Department to advertise cold weather payments; and what expenditure he intends to make during the winter months on advertising the availability and criteria for these payments.
§ Mr. ScottOn 14 June we announced major improvements to the cold weather payments scheme which included ending the need to make a claim. All people entitled to a cold weather payment will receive it automatically. When a period of cold weather is triggered, district offices of the Benefits Agency will announce this in the local press.
The level of expenditure for the coming winter months cannot be predicted as it depends on the number and location of periods of cold weather.