§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost in 1999–2000 of(a) administration and (b) publicity for the winter fuel payments scheme. [104686]
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§ Angela EagleThe administration costs for making winter fuel payments this winter (1999–2000) were in the region of £14 million.
To ensure that pensioners were not worried about turning up their heating this winter it was necessary to inform them of the increase in the amount of the payments and to remind them that they were on their way. This required a major publicity campaign—the costs of which were in the region of £620,000.