HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc477-8W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the extension of the winter fuel payment scheme beyond next winter will include separate(a) £10, (b) £20 and (c) £50 payments per pensioner household depending on the rules of entitlement; and what will be the administration cost per payment. [53710]

Mr. Denham

Forming part of the £2.5 billion pensions package announced on 17 July 1998Official Report, Column 704, a further £0.5 billion has been allocated to extend the Winter Fuel payments scheme beyond next winter. From the winter of 1999–2000 all eligible pensioner households will receive £20.

The precise details of the extended scheme have yet to be determined, but it is expected to be similar to the existing provision which provides £20 to every eligible pensioner household not receiving Income Support. Under the existing provision, those who live alone, those who are the only eligible pensioner in a household, or are without accommodation receive a payment of £20. Otherwise, each eligible person receives a payment of £10, including each person in a couple where they are both entitled to a payment.

From April 1999, pensioners receiving Income Support will receive increased amounts of weekly benefit—three times the increase they would have got under the usual Income Support uprating rules. In addition, some pensioners with incomes at, or just slightly above, the current levels of Income Support will become entitled to Income Support.

We will also be introducing for the first time, a new delivery system to begin to help the estimated one million pensioners currently missing out on extra benefit they are entitled to.

Until the precise details of the Winter Fuel payment provision beyond next winter are determined and decisions are taken on the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery mechanisms it is not possible to establish the administration costs of each payment made.

Mr. McNulty

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to be able to announce the qualifying week for next winter's fuel payments; and when these payments will be made. [54886]

Mr. Denham

Amending regulations are presently being printed and should be laid before Parliament shortly.

We consider it important that pensioners should receive their Winter Fuel Payment in time to help towards the heaviest fuel bill when it arrives. Priority will also be given to the poorest.

Any pensioner receiving one of the qualifying benefits during the week beginning 9 November 1998 will be entitled to a payment. Using this qualifying week should enable payments of £50 to be made to the estimated 1.5 million eligible pensioners receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance by the end of November and payments of £20 or £10 to the remaining 8.3 million eligible pensioners during January 1999.

The list of qualifying benefits has been extended to include all of the Industrial Injuries Benefits. This change aims to ensure everyone over state pension age receiving a Social Security benefit is entitled to a payment.

As announced by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Horman), Winter Fuel Payments will continue beyond next winter, with each eligible pensioner household getting £20.

Pensioners on Income Support will also benefit from an above inflation increase, from April 1999, which will ensure they have a minimum income of a least £75.50 per week for a single person. Couples and older pensioners will receive more.