§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many state pensioners received the winter fuel allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [73783]
§ Mr. TimmsThis winter, around 10 million eligible pensioners received a Winter Fuel Payment. Around 1.5 million of the poorest pensioners—those receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance—received their payments in November 1998. The remaining 8.5 million eligible pensioners receiving one of the other qualifying benefits received their payments during January 1999.