Current System Of Cold Weather Payments

EDM number 421 in 1991-92, proposed by John McFall on 17/12/1991.

That this House realises that the current system of cold weather payments, which was amended last February, have been shown to be totally inadequate, despite the fact that the Government have been at great pains to point out that the system is targeted at those who are in most need; notes that a 73 year old pensioner who lives in Dumbarton was visited by an energy adviser to carry out a survey of the thermal efficiency of his home, with a view to the local authority installing central heating; is concerned that the gentleman suffers from a severe heart disorder, poor circulation and arthritis; records that the method used to survey the house was the National Home Energy Rating Scheme, a Department of Energy endorsed computer-based form of energy labelling, which gives houses a rating from 0 to 10 in terms of thermal efficiency, and that the gentleman's house was so thermally inefficient it failed to register on the program, giving a zero rating; declares that most would say that he was indeed deserving of assistance with keeping himself warm, but is aware that he would not qualify for the occasional ú6 payment as he does not receive Income Support since he is prevented from claiming as a result of a small works pension, and that because of his loss of housing benefit and community charge rebate he is actually ú4 per week worse off than if he received Income Support; and calls for an urgent reform of the system to make sure it reaches those who need it most.

This motion has been signed by a total of 75 MPs.