§ 25. Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many eligible men have not received backdated Winter Fuel Payments in respect of previous years. [3600]
§ Mr. McCartneyTo date we have received and paid over 1 million retrospective Winter Fuel Payment claims for the first three years of the scheme: 1997–98; 1998–99 and 1999–2000. A possible 1.9 million people, the large majority of whom are men, could be eligible for a backdated payment in respect of these years. However, there are no time limits on claiming payments for these winters and we continue to receive and pay claims.
From April 2000 an information campaign ran to ensure that existing and potential customers knew about changes to the scheme and what, if anything, they needed to do to get a payment. It is up to the individual to choose whether to claim payments for past winters. There is no time limit on claiming payments for previous years of the scheme. This year, the Winter Fuel Payment information campaign began in June and will continue throughout the year.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason he has brought forward the qualifying week for the 2001 Winter Fuel Payment. [7581]
§ Mr. McCartneyFrom the winter of 1999–2000, the qualifying week was fixed at the week beginning with the third Monday in September. The qualifying week for that winter was 20 to 26 September 1999. The qualifying week 827W for last winter, 2000–01, was 18 to 24 September, and for this winter it was 17 to 23 September. Next winter, 2002–03, the qualifying week will be 16 to 22 September.