§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many eligible pensioners had applied for and had not received Winter Fuel Payments by(a) 1 December 2003, (b) 1 January and (c) 1 February. [156772]
§ Malcolm WicksThe number of eligible applicants at each of the specified dates is not available. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
Date to: Applications made payments made 1 December 2003 223,644 196,716 1 January 2004 239,639 218,271 1 February 2004 252,864 238,544 The balance comprises applications from people who are not entitled to a payment, cases held pending the issue of a payment and applications which have yet to be processed.
Some further payments will be made at the end of March.