November 15.
Your health correspondent John Warden totally ignored the extra
amounts added to pensions and other benefits specifically designed to
help those groups with the increases in their fuel bills (November 11).
John Warden is, however, not alone. The Moderator of the General
Assembly and his fellow churchmen managed a similar blinkered approach.
Perhaps I can help these gentlemen with a few facts.
In global terms, as John Warden mentions, the Chancellor expects 17.5%
VAT to yield #3000m in a full year. Here, at the Department of Social
Security, we have introduced a generous package of help especially for
the most vulnerable in our society. It is worth #2500m over three years
and will help more than 15 million people, including those on low
incomes as well as all pensioners and widows receiving state retirement
pension or widows' benefit and the long-term sick on invalidity benefit.
From April, 1995, the total increase for single pensioners will be #1
per week and #1.40 for couples. In addition cold weather payments,
designed to help with the extra costs of heating in particularly cold
weather, have been increased from #6 to #7 per week. Insulation grants
have also been increased by #35m to help people whose homes can benefit
from better insulation, like draught-proofing.
While I may not expect John Warden and the three leading churchmen to
alter their views, I do believe they should acknowledge the facts
outlined above.
Lord MacKay of Ardbrecknish,
Minister of State for Social
Security,
79 Whitehall,
London.
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