§ 11. Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on fuel poverty issues in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [121883]
§ Mr. WilsonMy right hon. Friend and I have frequent discussions with Scottish Ministers on a wide variety of issues, including poverty. There will be a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty, which brings together UK Ministers and ministers from the devolved administrations, on 26 May, in Edinburgh. UK Ministers and ministers from the devolved administrations also meet in a ministerial group on fuel poverty.
The UK Government are taking a number of practical steps to alleviate fuel poverty. This past winter around £70 million was paid in Winter Fuel Payments to over 900,000 Scottish pensioners: £944,000 was paid out in my hon. Friend's constituency to 10,964 people. The payment will be increased next winter to £150 per eligible household. In addition, the Government made almost 20,000 Cold Weather Payments in Scotland this past winter. The Scottish Executive are responsible for the Warm Deal in Scotland, which provides a package of energy efficiency measures of up to £500 for those on low incomes. The Warm Deal is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament.