§ Mr. Geoffrey RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to speed up the delivery of cold weather payments this winter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottNo such plans are necessary as delays are already at a minimum. Last year's improvements to the cold weather payments scheme introduced automatic payments without the need to claim. As a result girocheques are posted on average within 11 days of a period of cold weather being declared, which is a considerable improvement on any previous scheme.