Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has produced an impact assessment on the potential impact of changing the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment on trends in levels of excess deaths.

In line with the obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, the Department has conducted an equality analysis on expanding eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales and have considered the impacts of this policy. The Government will publish the equality analysis alongside the Winter Fuel Payment regulations.

With respect to trends on levels of excess deaths, a very wide range of factors impact changes in mortality. Details of excess winter deaths in England and Wales can be found at: Excess mortality in England - GOV.UK