Chamber
Plenary, 02 Nov 2006
02 Nov 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
First Minister's Question Time
Winter-related Deaths
Will the First Minister take advantage of a simple method of emulating Gordon Brown's excellent social experiment? The suggestion complies with the Scotland Act 1998. Will he exempt every pensioner household from paying the water charges element of council tax? On the basis of the water charges for a band D house, that would save each household an average of £354 per annum. All pensioner households are required to pay water charges, even if their rent and council tax are paid for them, so the proposal would benefit all pensioners and particularly the poorest. It would lighten pensioners' burden of heating their homes this winter and would prevent more winter-related deaths, which have accounted for 10,000 pensioner deaths in the past four years.
In the same item of business
3. John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP):
SSCUP
To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Executive will take this winter to reduce the number of cold-related deaths among senior citizens. (S2F-2510)
The First Minister (Mr Jack McConnell):
Lab
Figures released last week by the registrar general for Scotland showed that winter deaths were at their lowest level ever. Our policies continue to reduce t...
John Swinburne:
SSCUP
Will the First Minister join me in congratulating the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, on the success of his excellent social experiment whereby, p...
The First Minister:
Lab
I can imagine the chancellor's response should I make any budget announcements here today, but I am willing to take the valid point that John Swinburne makes...
John Swinburne:
SSCUP
Will the First Minister take advantage of a simple method of emulating Gordon Brown's excellent social experiment? The suggestion complies with the Scotland ...
The First Minister:
Lab
The immediate priority is to continue and to build on the successful programmes that the devolved Scottish Government has introduced, such as the central hea...