To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2003, ref: 90125, what the reasons are for the assumption in the Green Paper on Pensions that spending on winter fuel payments will remain at their current level of £200 up until 2051–52; and, on the basis of the projections of spending given in the Green Paper, what the value of the winter fuel allowance will be in real terms in (a) 2011–12, (b) 2021–22 and (c) 2051–52. [93940]
The current amount of the Winter Fuel Payment of £200 will continue to be paid to each eligible household for the rest of this parliament. The rate will be kept under review. However, for the purposes of the projections in Annexe 3 of the Green Paper 'Simplicity, security and choice'(Cm 5677),it was necessary to make a modelling assumption about the value of winter fuel payments. Modelling assumptions should not be interpreted as statements of policy. It will be for future Governments to decide what the rate of Winter Fuel Payments should be for future years.The following table shows the projected future value of the winter fuel payment in 2002–03 prices on the assumption that it remains at its current cash value of £200 and that inflation remains constant at 2.5 per cent.
WFP values in selected years
| ||
£
| ||
Cash amount
| 2001–02 prices
| |
| 2011–12 | 200 | 155 |
| 2021–22 | 200 | 121 |
| 2051–52 | 200 | 58 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners received winter fuel payments in the financial year 2001–02 in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) England and (d) Northern Ireland; and what the total payment was in each. [97265]
Most people aged 60 and over, who normally live in Great Britain are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment. There is no need to be in receipt of a State Pension. Information based on the number of people who received a payment is given in the table below.Benefits in Northern Ireland are normally the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency (NISSA). However, the following figures are available as this Department processes Winter Fuel Payment's on behalf of NISSA. In winter 2001/2, 269,289 payments were made, totalling £42,152,400
| Total number of recipients of a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2001/2002 | ||
| Thousands Total number of recipients | Millions Total amount paid | |
| Great Britain | 11,201.9 | 1,680.6 |
| England | 9,585.8 | 1,435.9 |
| Scotland | 996.4 | 151.9 |
| Wales | 619.7 | 92.8 |
Notes:
1. Figures are in thousands and have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
2. Figures are in millions and have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.
Source:
Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service Winter Fuels Payment 2001/2002 exercise.2.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the amount of unclaimed winter heating allowance for each year from 1999–2000 to 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [97357]
Most eligible people receive their winter fuel payment automatically, without the need to claim. Over 11 million payments have been made this winter.We are unable to provide any reliable estimate of the amount of unclaimed Winter Fuel Payments because some people aged 60 and over are excluded, others may choose not to claim and payments are based on household composition.Where a person needs to claim, it is up to them whether they do so, and we publicise the availability of these payments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the change in real spending on the winter heating allowance between 2000–01 and 2003–04 (planned); and if he will make a statement. [97358]
In 2002–3 price terms, expenditure of winter fuel payments was £1.83 billion in 2000/1 and it is estimated it will be £1.68 billion in 2003/4. These figures are based on the standard winter fuel payment being 200 for each year.