We expect to pay 12 million winter fuel payments this winter. In addition, the Pension Service is currently working with energy suppliers to target further help to 250,000 vulnerable pensioners in receipt of pension credit throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. We are also working closely with other Departments to develop a cross-governmental strategy to help further reduce fuel poverty.
Will the allowances for fuel increase in line with the cost of fuel this coming year?
That is a decision that the Chancellor will no doubt announce in due course. It is not for me.
I call Anne Moffat; I call Anne Snelgrove. Is Sally Keeble here? No—what I can do is to move on to Topical questions.