Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent to limit excess winter deaths in each of the last five years.

The Department has not spent money specifically targeted on limiting excess winter deaths in the last five years. Through the Local Government Finance Settlement, the department distributes funding to local government. It is for local government to determine how best to manage its own finances to ensure it delivers the appropriate level of services for its residents. Local authorities will be aware of the guidance provided by Public Health England through the Cold Weather plan which makes recommendations for the NHS, public health, social care and other community organisations, to support vulnerable people who have health, housing or economic circumstances that increase their risk of harm.