HC Deb 21 February 1991 vol 186 cc262-3W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what special assistance is offered to those elderly people who need an immediate cold weather payment in order to pay for fuels which require immediate cash payments.

Mr. Scott

Where there is entitlement to cold weather payment, the Department's offices can and do make immediate payments to the elderly who require assistance to pay for fuels. Payments may be made at the office in cases where it is essential to do so.

Staff are encouraged to adopt a sympathetic approach in their dealings with the elderly, and often provide assistance in helping the eligible customer to complete the application form.

In cases where a request is received for an amount above the £6 award, a specially trained social fund officer may decide that an application for an interest-free crisis loan, on top of the cold weather payment, should be invited. Such an award is discretionary and would be considered if the officer identified a serious risk to the health or safety of the customer.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average weekly temperature in each weather station area used for cold weather payments for each week since 3 February; and how much was claimed in cold weather payments in each of these weeks.

Mr. Scott

Details of average weekly temperatures in weather station areas used for cold weather payments since 3 February are held in the Library. Details of the total amounts claimed are not yet available.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will specify the precise days to which the Prime Minister's announcement of 7 February,Official Report, column 408, waiving the seven consecutive day temperature requirement for cold weather payments,

Uprating date Period used to determine rate Single Person Married Couple
Actual rate Hypothetical rate Difference Actual rate Hypothetical rate Difference
November 1978 — 19.50 — — 31.20 — —
November 1979 November 1978—November 1979 23.30 23.20 -0.10 37.30 37.15 -0.15
November 1980 November 1979—November 1980 27.15 27.35 0.20 43.45 43.80 0.35
November 1981 November 1980—November 1981 29.60 30.65 1.05 47.35 49.05 1.70
November 1982 November 1981—November 1982 32.85 33.20 0.35 52.55 53.10 0.55
November 1983 May 1982—May 1983 34.05 36.10 2.05 54.50 57.75 1.25
November 1984 May 1983—May 1984 35.80 37.95 2.15 57.30 60.70 3.40
November 1985 May 1984—May 1985 38.30 41.30 3.00 61.30 66.05 4.75
June 1986 May 1985—January 1986 38.70 43.60 4.90 61.95 69.75 7.80
April 1987 January 1986—September 1986 39.50 45.50 6.00 63.25 72.80 9.55
April 1988 September 1986—September 1987 41.15 49.10 7.95 65.90 78.55 12.65
April 1989 September 1987—September 1988 43.60 53.30 9.70 69.80 85.30 15.50
April 1990 September 1988—September 1989 46.90 58.45 11.55 75.10 93.55 18.45
April 1991 September 1989—September 1990 52.00 64.80 12.80 83.25 103.75 20.50

Notes:

1. Hypothetical rate is uprated from November 1979 using prices or earnings whichever is the greater in each year.

2. Figures quoted are £s per week.