Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative) on Monday, 3 November 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 1997. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 1997 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what measures will be taken to assist the poorest pensioners in receipt of income support, and living in the coldest parts of the UK, with their heating bills. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures will be taken to assist the poorest pensioners in receipt of income support, and living in the coldest parts of the UK, with their heating bills. [14668] Mr. Denham: The Government are already tackling the problems associated with vulnerable people keeping warm during cold weather. We have already taken action to cut fuel costs and make homes easier to heat. Social Fund Cold Weather Payments of £8.50 will again be issued automatically to those pensioners in receipt of Income Support, when the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be an average of 0ÔC or below, over a consecutive seven day period. Last winter, the Cold Weather Payments scheme triggered a total of 125 times, involving 55 of the 70 Meteorological Office weather stations used. Almost 5 million payments worth over £42 million were issued to an estimated 2.7 million people. We are committed to examining the means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners.

Secondary information