§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of women who in 2001 will reach the age of 60 years after the qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payment eligibility but before 25 December; how the qualification for automatic Winter Fuel Payments is triggered; and if he will make a statement. [7575]
§ Mr. McCartneyIt is estimated that 70,000 women will attain the age of 60 between the qualifying week (17 to 23 September) and 25 December 2001.
Automatic entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment is determined by identifying those people who meet the qualifying criteria, including age and household composition, from official records.