Winter Fuel Payments

HC Deb 17 January 2001 vol 361 cc280-1W

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Winter Fuel Payments were paid in each of the last two years in(a) the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Inverclyde and (b) Scotland. [144500]

Mr. Rooker

Last winter (1999–2000) around 900,000 Winter Fuel Payments were made in Scotland, of which 11,944 were made to those entitled in the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Inverclyde.

Latest information for this winter shows that, of around 1 million payments made in Scotland, 12,881 have been in Greenock and Inverclyde.

Figures cannot be precise because the scheme has been extended to make payments to those entitled from the age of 60—some of whom need to claim. Claims are still being received.