§ Mr. Denis MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) persons and (b) households in the Wansbeck constituency will receive the winter fuel payment for 2002–03. [88159]
§ Mr. McCartneyFigures for winter 2002–03 are not yet available. However, last winter 18,200 people received a winter fuel payment in the Wansbeck constituency, and we expect this year's figure to be similar.
The exact number of households these people lived in is not available. However, 9,500 people received a £100 payment because they shared a household with at least one other eligible person, and the remaining 8,700 people each received a £200 payment.
Source:
Figures from Information and Analysis Directorate, using 100 per cent. extract from Matching, Intelligence and Data Analysis Service.
§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of extending the winter fuel payments to those under 16 years is; and what percentage this represents of the total social security budget. [88018]
§ Mr. McCartneyWe estimate that the extra cost of extending Winter Fuel Payments to households which contain at least one child under the age of 16 in Great Britain would be in the region of £1.3 billion in 2002–03. This cost is based on the assumption that no one else in the household is entitled to the payment. The cost represents around 1.2 per cent. of estimated benefit expenditure in Great Britain in 2002–03.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people entitled to one or more backdated winter fuel payments as a result of the European Court decision have received one; and how many people are entitled to make a claim for a backdated payment, but have yet to do so. [88205]
§ Mr. McCartneyEstimates show that around 1.9 million people could have been eligible for backdated payments for the first three years of the scheme and about 1.2 million people have now been paid. There is no cut off dates for these retrospective payments.
It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the numbers who have not claimed because the estimate of those newly eligible was based on sample data. It is up to the individual, where a claim is necessary, to decide whether or not to make that claim.