Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provision his Department makes for Winter Fuel Payments in cases where Ukrainian refugees receiving Universal Credit payments are not paying bills in the homes of their host families.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Winter fuel payments are an age-related payment payable this winter to all people who have reached State Pension age on or before 24 September 2023 and who are ordinarily resident in the UK, including Ukrainian refugees. There is no need to be in receipt of a social security benefit in order to qualify.
Winter fuel payments are made on a household basis. If there is more than one eligible person in a household, the payment will be divided between them. The sharing of bills is a matter for the house owner and any guests they may be hosting.
The Government understands the cost-of-living pressures people are currently facing which is why we are providing total support of over £94bn over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with their bills.
Pensioners who are entitled to a winter fuel payment this winter will receive a pensioner Cost of Living Payment of £300 per household paid with their normal payment, meaning over 8 million pensioner households across the UK will receive an increased winter fuel payment of £500/£600 depending on age.
Over 8 million UK households on eligible means tested benefits will receive additional Cost of Living Payments totalling up to £900 in the 2023/24 financial year and over 6 million individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits will have received a £150 payment to help with the additional costs they face.
Apr. 29 2024
Source Page: Rwanda: country policy and information notesFound: Apartments – housing 144 families (680 people) moved from informal settlements. 2.
Sep. 19 2023
Source Page: Government enhances support for refugees to find jobsFound: Government enhances support for refugees to find jobs
Found: Refugees and the UK's international aid response
Feb. 02 2024
Source Page: Building a New Scotland papers: downloadable versionsFound: communities and public services and, crucially, for the people who want to live, work and raise their families
Mentions:
1: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) occasions, as have the Prime Minister and my noble friend the Foreign Secretary, met directly with hostage families—sadly - Speech Link
2: Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD - Life peer) That invasion has already started, with casualties resulting from families constantly being bombed. - Speech Link
3: Baroness Deech (XB - Life peer) law, will the Minister remind Egypt of its obligations under the refugee convention to accept such refugees - Speech Link
4: Baroness Northover (LD - Life peer) evidence that the Israeli authorities have put in place serious provisions to ensure that the Palestinian refugees - Speech Link
Apr. 17 2024
Source Page: Palestinians in Gaza are facing a devastating humanitarian crisis and an imminent risk of famine: UK statement at the UN Security CouncilFound: years since UNRWA was mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees
Mentions:
1: Adamson, Clare (SNP - Motherwell and Wishaw) We are joined by Emma Roddick, the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees. - Speech Link
2: Roddick, Emma (SNP - Highlands and Islands) glad to attend the committee for the first time in my role as Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees - Speech Link
3: Adamson, Clare (SNP - Motherwell and Wishaw) The families there are very well integrated into local schools and organisations. - Speech Link
4: None hosting to consider the current guidance and improvements that can be made; we will engage with host families - Speech Link
5: Brown, Keith (SNP - Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) I have one small point to make, which is that we should always take refugees because they are refugees - Speech Link
Jan. 09 2024
Source Page: New Scots Core Group minutes: September 2023Found: Having a position statement towards Scotland’s intent towards support for refugees and asylum seekers
Found: This provided £500 million of funding for local authorities to obtain accommodation for families who