PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
WIND CHILL FACTOR (10 December 1997)

That this House notes that more than 46,000 more pensioners die in the winter months than in the summer months; notes that the second reading of the all party supported Cold Weather Payments (Wind Chill Factor) Bill is on 23rd January 1998; considers that this Bill, including wind chill in the calculation of cold weather payments, would be an excellent opportunity for the Government to show its commitment to the well-being of Britain's poorest pensioners; notes that the Government's own research concludes that it is perfectly possible to include wind chill; further notes that the Government's report concludes that if wind chill had been included over the last three years, an average additional expenditure of just ú8 million per annum would have been incurred; considers that this is a small price to pay to honour commitments made to those pensioners and others in receipt of income support who are eligible for cold weather payments; and calls upon the Government to reconsider its decision not to include wind chill in the calculation of cold weather payments.

Sponsored by:
Mr Nigel Evans (Conservative)