Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they propose to put into effect their stated intention of increasing provision to alleviate the windchill factor for disabled and elderly people during cold spells of winter weather.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham):We have fulfilled our commitment to review the Cold Weather Payments scheme. The review took place against a background of successful government action to cut fuel costs and make homes easier to heat.
88WAThe annual fuel bills for people eligible for cold weather payments are estimated to be £60 million less this year than last.
So far we have reduced VAT on domestic fuel from 8 to 5 per cent.; announced the removal of the gas levy; extended energy efficiency grants to include cavity wall insulation and the upgrading of heating system controls; and announced the setting up of an Environmental Task Force which is expected to include a programme of energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly. In addition, almost £800 million will be released to local authorities over the next two years to help meet pressing housing needs. It will be for individual authorities to identify priority needs, but we would expect works which improve energy efficiency to feature in many areas.
We considered a report commissioned from the Building Research Establishment into the effects of wind speed on domestic heating needs during very cold weather. We took the view that allowing for the effects of wind speed would increase the complexity and uncertainty of the scheme without ensuring that payments went to those with the greatest need for additional heating. Taking into account all the relevant considerations, we decided not to amend the scheme to take account of wind speed.