FINANCIAL HELP WITH WINTER HEATING

Early day motion 2327, tabled 8 June 2006 by Alan Simpson (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House is aware that cold weather payments, which are intended to help the poorest and most vulnerable families with their heating costs, have not increased in value since 1995; believes that at a time of unaffordable gas and electricity prices and consequent significant rises in number of fuel-poor households the cold weather payment of £8.50 should be doubled; further recognises that the intermittent nature of the cold weather payment is not a rational approach to heating subsidies; and calls on the Government to extend winter fuel payments to those currently eligible for a cold weather payment on grounds of disability or chronic ill health or responsibility for a young child, as an interim measure prior to initiating a serious debate on how the social security system can be reformed to provide regular assistance with heating costs to vulnerable fuel-poor households.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 4, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 1.