HC Deb 01 April 1993 vol 222 c395W
Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department will take to ensure that those on low incomes who do not qualify for social security payments are able to meet the extra costs of fuel bills after the value added tax increases have been applied; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mates

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear in his Budget statement, extra help will be available to those dependent on income-related benefits. This will be paid from 1 April 1994 and will be in addition to the automatic increases in benefits to reflect the impact of the increases in fuel bills on the retail prices index.