WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS AND AGE ELIGIBILITY

Early day motion 813, tabled 11 March 2004 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 19 members.

That this House notes that in order to qualify for a winter fuel payment for winter 2003-04 the applicant had to be 60 years old or above in the qualifying week of 15th to 21st September 2003; further notes that figures from Age Concern state that around 20,000 older people across England and Wales die during the winter months because of cold-related illnesses; believes that this system of payment unfairly discriminates against people who reach the age of 60 after the September deadline but before payment is made; also notes that this payment system is not cost efficient as payments are continued even if the qualifying applicant dies during the time between the deadline for applications and the winter period; and calls upon the Government to improve this payment system in time for next winter.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Independent Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.