HC Deb 19 February 1991 vol 186 cc104-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the limit of savings a person can have to qualify for the emergency cold weather payment.

Mr. Scott

Savings over £500—£1,000 for people aged 60 or over—are taken into account on a pound-for-pound basis.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons received severe weather payments in the week beginning 4 February in each of the weather station areas; how many were(a) pensioners, (b) disabled persons, (c) families with young children, and (d) other groups; what was the total cost to the Exchequer; and what plans he has to ease the eligibility condition requiring a temperature for seven consecutive days on average below 0 deg. C in further weeks beyond the first when this condition was lifted.

Mr. Scott

Information is not yet available regarding the number of cold weather payments made in the week beginning 4 February. With regard to the temperature criterion for eligibility, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 15 February at column630.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether a child with asthma over the age of five years in a family receiving income support, but receiving no invalidity or other additional benefits, is entitled to cold weather payments.

Mr. Scott

Cold weather payments are payable to people in receipt of income support, who either have a child under five or whose benefit includes a pensioner or disability premium. Savings over £500—or £1,000 for people aged 60 and over—are taken into account. A family with a child with asthma over the age of five years would be eligible for a cold weather payment if these conditions are satisfied.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reason the Berwick upon Tweed offices of his Department indicated to claimants on 14 February that it did not have instructions enabling it to approve payments of severe weather allowance and did not know when such instructions would be received.

Mr. Scott

Instructions concerning the recent changes were issued to all local offices on 8 February and 14 February. Berwick upon Tweed office has confirmed that the first payments under those instructions were made on 14 February.