§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in(a)England, (b)Scotland, (c)Wales and (d)Northern Ireland 352W qualify for the winter fuel payment; how many individuals in each receives a winter fuel payment; and what the estimated expenditure on winter fuel payment was in each country in 2003–04. [150291]
§ Malcolm WicksFull information about payments made this winter will not be available until after 30 March, the final date for submitting claims. It is not possible to say how many households will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, or how many individuals will receive a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2003 –04.
However based on the figures for 2002–03 we estimate the expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments for winter 2003–04 to be as follows:
Forecast expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments for 2003–04 £ million Country Forecast Expenditure England 1,610 Wales 100 Scotland 170 Northern Ireland 50 Note:
Costs rounded to the nearest £10 million.