§ Mr. HallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average fuel bill for a single pensioner for the financial year 1994–95; and what it is projected to be in 1995–96;
(2) what is the average fuel bill for disabled people for the financial year 1994–95; and what is it projected to be in 1995–96;
(3) what is the average fuel bill for a pensioner couple for the financial year 1994–95; and what it is projected to be for 1995–96;
§ Mr. ArbuthnotUsing the 1990–91–92 family expenditure surveys, uprated to 1994–95 and 1995–96 prices and benefit levels, estimated average weekly fuel bills are set out in the table.
Client group Average weekly fuel bills in 1994–95 £ Average weekly fuel bill in 1995–96 £ Single pensioner 9.25 9.20 Couple pensioner1 13.15 13.00 All disabled2 11.45 11.35 1 Couple where the head of the couple is over pension age. 2 Average fuel bills for single disabled people, and all couples where at least one person in the couple is disabled. Notes:
1. Average weekly fuel bills rounded to the nearest 10 pence.
2. It is difficult to forecast future fuel expenditure; fuel prices have fallen by over 1 per cent. in real terms over the past two years inclusive of VAT. Further reductions have been assumed in 1994–95 and 1995–96.
3. The figures are calculated at benefit unit level.