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Written question asked by Lord Marlesford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 March 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2016. It was answered by Baroness Altmann (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 April 2016 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Winter Fuel Payment

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost to the public purse in each of the last five years of the winter fuel allowance; and what would be the tax receipt if it were subject to the same tax as retirement pensions.

Answer

The Government has committed to keeping the Winter Fuel Payment for the lifetime of this Parliament. The cost over the last five years is as follows:

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

£m 2,759

2,149

2,144

2,140

2,117

The Government has not estimated the corresponding tax receipts had the Winter Fuel Payment been taxable.

There is a total of 11.4 million pensioners in the UK.

National Statistics, published by HMRC, show that in 2013/14, there were 6.12 million taxpayers whose main source of income is from pensions, of which 90 per cent pay the basic rate of tax and 6 per cent pay the higher rate of tax.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL7322
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Taxation Winter fuel payment
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk