HC Deb 25 January 1994 vol 236 cc184-5W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to compensate fully people with learning disabilities and their carers for the increase in their domestic heating bills resulting from VAT on fuel.

Mr. Burt

Our policy is to help poorer households, pensioners and disabled people on income-related benefits meet the extra cost of VAT on domestic fuel. A substantial package of measures was announced in the budget including increases above the normal uprating in invalidity benefit, severe disablement allowance and the disability premium in the income-related benefits.

Disabled people, including people with learning disabilities, who are receiving these benefits will receive the above-inflation increases.