HC Deb 25 February 1998 vol 307 c300W
Mr. Swinney

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 17 February 1998,Official Report, columns 619–20, on television advertising of benefits, if she will list the percentage of (a) planned advertisements for the winter payment scheme which had been shown and (b) the number of payments under the scheme which had been made by (i) 31 December, (ii) 31 January and (iii) 18 February. [31016]

Mr. Denham

It is important that pensioners need to know as soon as possible how much they will receive, as well as how and when it will be paid. The simplest and most cost-effective way is to let them know that a payment will be made is through publicity. The publicity will enable them to plan with confidence and turn up their heating if there is a spell of cold weather.

The percentage of planned advertisements for the winter payment scheme which had been shown by:

  1. (i) 31 December 1997: Nil
  2. (ii) 31 January 1998: 44 per cent.
  3. (iii) 18 February 1998: 96 per cent.

The number of payments made under the scheme which had been made by:

  1. (i) 31 December 1997: Nil (legislation came into force on 16 January 1998)
  2. (ii) 31 January 1998: 1,441,614
  3. (iii) 18 February 1998: 1,441,614.

The remaining payments will be made from the week commencing 2 March 1998.