HC Deb 16 September 2004 vol 424 cc1744-5WS
Mr. Cousins

To ask he Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on home visits to pensioners; and how many home visits were carried out in each quarter since the introduction of pension credit. [188988]

Malcolm Wicks

The Local Service of The Pension Service aims to provide a home visit if a pensioner requires one. The vast majority of queries can be dealt with quickly and effectively by a telephone call to a pension centre or to the pension credit application line. Those receiving home visits are typically the most vulnerable and the Local Service aims to provide help for such pensioners when they need it. During a home visit, the Local Service will offer information on pension credit and other entitlements and on other social care issues. The number of home visits carried out since April 2003 is set out in the table.

Home visits by The Pension Service, April 2003 to August 2004
Quarter Number of visits
2003
April to June 67,464
July to September 92,557
October to December 112,183
2004
January to March 148,033
April to June 131,491
July to August1 83,504
1Latest available.

Siobhain McDonagh

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received the higher rate of winter fuel allowance for over 80s in winter 2003—04. [189349]

Mr. Pond

In winter 2003—04, the number of pensioners in Mitcham and Morden who received the higher rate winter fuel payment for those aged 80 or over was 2,895.

Note:

Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.

Siobhain McDonagh

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden received winter fuel allowance in winter 2003—04. [189350]

Mr. Pond

The number of pensioners in Mitcham and Morden who received a winter fuel payment in winter 2003—04 was 14,220.

Note:

Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.

Siobhain McDonagh

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Mitcham and Morden are receiving an additional £100 in 2004—05 to help pay for increases to council tax. [189357]

Mr. Pond

The information requested is not available. For winter 2003—04, there were 7,915 pensioners aged 70 or over in Mitcham and Morden who received a winter fuel payment. We expect a similar number to benefit from the one-off 70+ payment.

Note:

Figures are rounded to the nearest five

Source:

IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. simple.

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