Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure elderly residents are able to keep warm during winter 2021-22; and what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Household Support Fund.

The Government has committed to keeping the winter fuel payment. This winter we will pay households with individuals who reached state pension age on or before 26 September and are below age 80, £200; and households with someone aged 80 and over, £300. Cold Weather Payments of £25 are also paid to vulnerable customers on qualifying benefits, including older people on Pension Credit, for every week of severe cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

Vulnerable households across the country will also be able to access a new £500 million support fund to help them with essentials. The Household Support Fund will provide £421 million to help vulnerable people in England with the cost of food, utilities and wider essentials. Local Authorities in England have discretion to design their own bespoke local schemes, within the overall parameters of the Household Support Fund, with help primarily focused on food and utility bills. Up to 50% of the fund is available for councils to use on households without children, including those of state pension age. Local Authorities will use their resources to identify vulnerable households who are in most need in their area and can apply their own discretion to eligibility and the size of the award.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for the Warm Home Discount and customers in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit can receive a £140 rebate providing their energy supplier is part of the scheme.

The Barnett Formula will apply in the usual way, with the devolved administrations receiving almost £80 million (£41m for the Scottish Government, £25m for the Welsh Government and £14m for the NI Executive), for a total of £500 million.