§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the outcome of his review of weather monitoring stations for the purposes of cold weather payments, with specific reference to Tiree and Loch Glascarnoch, Ross-shire. [40660]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe review has now been completed. Amending regulations were laid before the House on 11 October.
During last winter, over 7 million payments totalling £62 million were made. A comprehensive review was undertaken, which included commissioning the Meteorological Office to advise on the optimum number of weather stations required to provide national coverage with a reasonable level of local sensitivity. They were also requested to advise on the respective postcode links for each proposed weather station. Representations made by hon. Members were considered by the Meteorological Office in giving its expert advice. I will be writing to each of the hon. Members shortly.
In line with the Meteorological Office expert advice, I propose to increase the total number of weather stations from 55—the number used last winter—to 70. This increased number of weather stations should improve the sensitivity of the scheme throughout the country.
774Wcouples and lone parents), a child credit for each child (the amount payable depends upon age) and, from July 1995, an additional credit for people who work 30 hours or more a week.
If a family's net income—after allowable disregards—is below an "applicable amount", the maximum amount of family credit is payable. If their income is above the applicable amount, 70p of every £1 of the excess is deducted from the maximum payable.
The level of family credit rates since 1988 are set out in the table.
New weather stations at Loch Glascarnoch and Aultbea have been introduced to serve parts of the inland and coastal areas of the hon. Member's constituency. The weather station at Tiree will continue to be used for the Isles of Skye, Tiree, Rhum, Eigg and Muck.
Copies of the Meteorological Office report have been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cash and numerical total of cold weather payments made in the last two winters; and if he will make a statement. [40066]
§ Mr. EvansThe totals for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96 are 10,969 payments worth £76,786 and 7,252,023 payments worth £62,000,0001 respectively.
The difference in expenditure is not just attributable to the relative severity of each winter; it also reflects the increased value of each payments from £7.00 to £8.50. 1Rounded to nearest £1 million.