Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness and targeting of Cold Weather Payments.

Cold Weather Payments are targeted at those most vulnerable to the cold including, older people in receipt of Pension Credit, disabled adults and children, and families with children under five who receive an income-related benefit.

The Met Office review the Cold Weather Payment scheme each year to assess whether the linkages between postcode areas and weather stations remain the best available. The Department continues to monitor Cold Weather Payment policies and procedures to review the scheme's effectiveness.