§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons who qualified for severe weather payments for each month from 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1996, applied to each of the Benefits Agency offices in the Doncaster and Mexborough area; and what were the figures for the period 1 November 1994 to 30 April 1995. [31432]
§ Mr. Roger EvansOnce a cold weather period has been identified, a scan of the income support database is run to establish those who are eligible for a cold weather payment. Payment is sent out automatically; there is no need for a claim to be made.
Information relating to cold weather payments made for the periods 1 November 1994 to 30 April 1995 and 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1996 can be found in the statistical section of the Library. The data are held in the social fund statistical load file under "Cold Weather Payments by District Office".
§ Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to alter the qualification requirements for cold weather payments to enable ex-service men on war pensions but not receiving income support to entitlement to these payments. [32250]
§ Mr. EvansThere are no plans to change the existing qualifying groups. The current scheme targets available resources towards those regarded as most vulnerable during a sustained period of very cold weather.