Cold Weather Payments

HC Deb 11 November 1991 vol 198 cc403-4W

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has taken to improve the working of the cold weather payments scheme.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 7 November.

Mr. McKelvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid out on cold weather payments over the last winter period; and what was the cost of administering these payments.

Mr. Scott

In 1990–91, 1,430,000 cold weather payments were made, at a cost of almost £8.6 million. Administration costs were approximately £3.6 million last year, but they will reduce considerably this coming winter because payments will be made automatically by national computer rather than clerically.