Cold Weather Payments

HC Deb 25 January 1996 vol 270 cc363-4W

Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on the system of cold weather payment, in respect of immobile disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [10528]

Mr. Roger Evans

There have been no representations on this matter. Cold weather payments are focused on the

Year	Month of uprating	Rate of basic retirement pension £ per week	Increase over previous rate percentage	Equivalent annual increase percentage	Change in RPI since previous AprilRate as a percentage of average earnings percentage	percentage
1969	November	5.00	—	—	—	—
1970	—	—	—	—	5.6	19.3
1971	September	6.00	20.0	10.5	9.4	20.3
1972	October	6.75	12.5	11.5	6.3	19.6
1973	October	7.75	14.8	14.8	9.2	19.8
1974	July	10.00	29.0	40.5	15.2	22.2
1975	April	11.60	16.0	21.9	21.7	21.6
	November	13.30	14.7	26.4	—	22.0
1976	November	15.30	15.0	15.0	18.9	22.6
1977	November	17.50	14.4	14.4	17.5	23.7
1978	November	19.50	11.4	11.4	7.9	23.2
1979	November	23.30	19.5	19.5	10.1	23.2
1980	November	27.15	16.5	16.5	21.8	22.6
1981	November	29.60	9.0	9.0	12.0	22.4
1982	November	32.85	11.0	11.0	9.4	23.1
1983	November	34.05	3.7	3.7	4.0	21.7
1984	November	35.80	5.1	5.1	5.2	21.4
1985	November	38.30	7.0	7.0	6.9	21.4
1986	July	38.70	1.0	1.6	3.0	20.5
1987	April	39.50	2.1	2.8	4.2	19.9
1988	April	41.15	4.2	4.2	3.9	18.8
1989	April	43.60	6.0	6.0	8.0	18.2

most vulnerable groups receiving income support, that is those with a pensioner or disability premium, or a child aged under five. So far this winter, 3.8 million payments worth almost £32 million have been made.