To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will estimate the saving to the public purse which would arise in each of the next six financial years if the lower age of eligibility for winter fuel payments were raised in line with increases in the state pension age for women. (295459)

[holding answer 26 October 2009]: The age of eligibility for winter fuel payments will increase in line with the state pension age for women from winter 2010-11 onwards. The necessary legislation was put in place earlier this year.

Government spending plans and forecasts have been based on the assumption that the winter fuel payment qualifying age would increase and therefore there are no savings associated with this change.