§ 37. Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures will be taken to assist the poorest pensioners in receipt of income support, and living in the coldest parts of the UK, with their heating bills. [14668]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government are already tackling the problems associated with vulnerable people keeping warm during cold weather. We have already taken action to cut fuel costs and make homes easier to heat.
85WSocial Fund Cold Weather Payments of £8.50 will again be issued automatically to those pensioners in receipt of Income Support, when the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be an average of 0°C or below, over a consecutive seven day period. Last winter, the Cold Weather Payments scheme triggered a total of 125 times, involving 55 of the 70 Meteorological Office weather stations used. Almost 5 million payments worth over £42 million were issued to an estimated 2.7 million people.
We are committed to examining the means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase take-up of income-related benefits for pensioners. [14662]
§ Mr. DenhamWe believe that all pensioners should share fairly in the increasing prosperity of the nation.
We are committed to examining means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners. We have commissioned research to identify reasons why some pensioners do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled, and to inform ways of getting help to them.