Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any (1) Family Test, (2) environmental principles, and (3) equality analysis, documents that they have produced in respect of the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024.

A Family Test and an Equality Analysis were produced as part of the Ministerial decision-making process in line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duties. The environmental impact was given due consideration, which concluded that there was no direct environmental impact.

The equality analysis was published on 13 September and is available on Gov.UK ( DWP Freedom of Information response - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). I will deposit a copy of the equality analysis and Family Test Assessment in the House Libraries.

By convention, such analyses are not published alongside secondary legislation. However, in view of the close public interest in this issue I have decided, exceptionally, to publish in this case.