Energy: Winter Fuel Payment Debate
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Lord Campbell-Savours
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Energy: Winter Fuel Payment
Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts(13 years ago)
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Lord Freud
My Lords, I am grateful to be told where my sympathies are but the reality is that about 500,000 people would be affected and the saving would be about £40 million a year. It would be expensive and difficult to do and, therefore, on its own, it would not be a good idea. That does not suggest where my sympathies are at all.
Lord Campbell-Savours
Would not this proposal actually penalise low-income group, basic-rate taxpayers?
Lord Freud
I am sorry—I missed the point of that question. Will the noble Lord repeat it?
Lord Campbell-Savours
Would not the proposal penalise low-income group, basic-rate, elderly taxpayers?
Lord Freud
No, I do not think so. This is just a universal benefit that is paid on a simple basis to households that need it. Older people above 80 receive rather more than those below that age.