Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 March 1999. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 1999 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many state pensioners received the winter fuel allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many state pensioners received the winter fuel allowance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [73783] Mr. Timms: This winter, around 10 million eligible pensioners received a Winter Fuel Payment. Around 1.5 million of the poorest pensioners--those receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance-- received their payments in November 1998. The remaining 8.5 million eligible pensioners receiving one of the other qualifying benefits received their payments during January 1999.

Secondary information