§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he is taking to protect those on low incomes from the effect of the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel in(a) in the current year and (b) from 1995 onwards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe help that was given in the April 1994 uprating will remain in place as a permanent addition to benefit rates. In addition, VAT on domestic fuel has raised the indices on which the 1995 uprating will be based and benefit levels will be higher from next April as a result. Further, social fund cold weather payments, which increased from £6 to £7 in November 1994, will rise again to £8.50 in November 1995.
Funding of the home energy efficiency scheme will be raised to £100 million per annum, £30 million of which will be over and above that announced in 1993. The total extra help made available for home energy efficiency since the levy was introduced will amount to £65 million.