Figures are not provided for the first three years of the winter fuel payment scheme as payment was linked to receipt of a qualifying benefit rather than to a qualifying age. The following table shows the number of people turning 60 after the end of the qualifying week but before the end of the calendar year for each winter from 2000-01.
England Wales 2000-01 120,000 10,000 2001-02 130,000 10,000 2002-03 150,000 10,000 2003-04 160,000 10,000 2004-05 150,000 10,000 2005-06 160,000 10,000 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000. Source: Government Actuary Department population projections (principle-based).