September 2011: The latest official statistics on Winter Fuel Payments for 2010/11 have just been released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Winter Fuel Payment is “a tax free payment to help older people keep warm during winter” (further information here and here). The data is provided in spreadsheet format on a Parliamentary constituency and local authority basis.
A quick analysis of the key statistics shows for London that:
- 1.14 million people in London (out of 12.71m receiving payments across the UK) received Winter Fuel Payments
- A total of £261 million in WFP was directed to Londoners (out of £2.75 billion across the UK)
- 867,130 households – approximately 27 per cent of London’s households received support (out of 9.2 million eligible housholds across UK).
As part of the Chancellor’s 2011 Budget, the WFP rates are to be reduced this year. Individuals over 60 and aged up to 79 will get now £200, down from £250. And those with someone aged 80 or over get £300, down from £400. Full WFP rates information is here.