Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what conversations she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of increasing winter fuel payments in line with inflation.

This winter the winter fuel payment will include the pensioner cost of living payment of £300 per household. The conventional sums of £200/£300 will be increased to £500 for a household with someone of State Pension age and £600 for a household with someone aged 80 or over.