§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cold weather payments have been triggered this winter as a result of low temperatures, broken down by(a) weather station and (b) nation and region of the United Kingdom. [25948]
§ Malcolm Wicks[pursuant to his reply, 21 January 2002, c. 631–32W; holding answer 11 January 2002]Cold weather payments are a key part of our strategy to tackle fuel poverty. They provide extra help towards heating costs for the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society in periods of exceptionally cold weather. They are paid to pensioners receiving the minimum income guarantee, and to people receiving income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who have children under the age of five or who have a premium for disability or long term sickness.
1020WThe payments are made automatically and are triggered when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0 degrees centigrade or below over seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to the customer's postcode. So far this year we estimate that payments to the value of almost £16.8 million have been triggered. Available information on the breakdown of the payments is in the tables.
Estimated number and value of cold weather payments triggered by weather station Weather station Estimated number of payments triggered from 1 November 2001 to 14 January 2002 Estimated value of payments triggered (£) Andrewsfield 39,790 338,215.00 Aviemore 3,099 26,341.50 Bedford 60,529 514,496.50 Bingley 86,283 733,405.50 Bishopton 178,525 1,517,462.50 Boltshope Park 9,370 79,645.00 Boulmer 10,793 91,740.50 Bracknell 53,193 452,140.50 Braemar 228 1,938 Brize Norton 22,139 188,181.50 Carlisle 9,896 84,116.00 Cassley 208 1,768.00 Coleshill 249,130 2,117,605.00 Coltishall 34,663 294,635.50 Dumfries 5,128 43,588.00 Dyce 22,024 187,204.00 Edinburgh Gogarbank 65,607 557,659.50 Eskdalemuir 8,712 74,052 Fylingdales 25,142 213,707.00 Great Malvern 37,578 319,413.00 Lake Vyrnwy 1,398 11,883.00 Leeds 143,964 1,223,694.00 Lerwick 829 7,046.50 Leuchars 32,244 274,074.00 Linton on Ouse 62,637 532,414.50 Loch Glascarnoch 525 4,462.50 Lyneham 24,040 204,340.00 Marham 14,914 126,769.00 Newcastle 122,657 1,042,584.50 Nottingham 147,861 1,256,818.50 Redhill 32,551 276,683.50 Ringway 199,291 1,693,973.50 Salsburgh 12,027 102,229.50 Sennybridge 47,119 400,511.50 Shawbury 48,288 410,448.00 Tulloch Bridge 1,931 16,413.50 Waddington 95,223 809,395.50 Wattisham 35,582 302,447.00 Wick Airport 1,956 16,626.00 Wittering 30,163 256,385.50 Total 1,977,237 16,806,514.50
Estimated number and value of cold weather payments triggered by country Country Estimated number of payments triggered from 1 November 2001 to 14 January 2002 Estimated value of payments triggered (£) England 1,595,677 13,563,254.50 Scotland 333,043 2,830,865.50 Wales 48,517 412,394.50 Total 1,977,237 16,806,514.50 Notes:
1. Figures are not available by Government office region.
2. Those weather stations where cold weather payments have not been triggered are excluded from the tables.
1021W3. Cold weather payments are payable for periods of cold weather between 1 November and 31 March each winter.
4. Social security matters in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
5. The figures provided are estimates. The final number and value of actual payments made will be reconciled after 31 March 2002.
Source:
Estimates are based on a scan in November 2001 of income support and jobseeker's allowance live load linked to weather station postcodes.