§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in the Basildon parliamentary constituency received Winter Fuel Payments in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; and how much was paid in total in each of those years. [125955]
§ Angela EagleThe administration of Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Angela Smith, dated 19 June 2000:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many pensioners in the Basildon parliamentary constituency received winter fuel payments in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000; and how much was paid in total in each of those years.
In 1998–99, 13,241 winter fuel payments (WFP) were made in the Basildon constituency; in 1999–2000, 16,098 payments were made.
In 1998–99, the total amount of WFP in the Basildon constituency was £256,940; in 1999–2000, the total was £1,204,050.
WFP exercises before 1998–99 highlighted that over 500,000 customer accounts did not hold a postcode. A correction exercise resulted in more postcodes being allocated. The figures for 1999–2000 in the Basildon constituency increased due to this, and also because of the increase in the WFP from £50 to £100 from 1999–2000.
I hope this is helpful.