Written question asked by John Grogan (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Chris Pond (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to extend the range of qualifying benefits for third party deductions schemes; and if he will make a statement; what representations he has received concerning the modernisation of the third party deductions schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether he plans to extend the range of qualifying benefits for third party deductions schemes; and if he will make a statement; [198793] (2) what representations he has received concerning the modernisation of the third party deductions schemes; and if he will make a statement. [198794] Mr. Pond: Third party deductions can be made from income support, jobseeker's allowance and pension credit where people are in specified arrears with their gas, electricity and water bills, and also where they are in arrears with their housing costs and court imposed fines. There are no current plans to extend the range of benefits from which these deductions can be made. We have recently received representation from The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) concerning the fuel elements of the third party deduction scheme and we will be meeting with them to discuss the issues raised.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 426 c1897W;426 c1902-3W; 198793;198794
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Courts Benefits rules Debts Deductions Billing Fines Social security benefits Utilities
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk