Cold Weather Payments Scheme

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received regarding the cold weather payments scheme. [7696]

Mr. Roger Evans

Since 4 November, there have been four letters—all from hon. Members.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to his Department of the cold weather payments scheme in each year since it was introduced. [7695]

Mr. Evans

The information is set out in the table:

Year	Expenditure1 (£000s)
1986–87	10,200
1987–88	500
1988–89	3
1989–90	400
1990–91	8,600
1991–92	23,000
1992–93	15,000
1993–94	12,400

69W

Year	Expenditure1 (£000s)
1994–95	77,000
1995–96	62,000
1996–972	148,104
1 Figures rounded to nearest thousand.
2 From 4 November 1996.