Inflation and Food Prices Pensioners 2023-09-04
2023-09-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly inflation and food prices, affecting pensioners' financial stability.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of (a) inflation and (b) food prices on pensioners' incomes. The reality for many worried pensioners is that this winter there will be a choice between heating and eating, while the Government tiptoe around real issues.
In April, the state pension saw its largest ever rise of 10.1%, thanks to the triple lock protecting pensioners.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address inflation and food prices impact directly, only mentioned a previous increase in state pensions
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses a gap where eligible pensioners are not claiming the pension credit, highlighting specific action taken by the MP in his constituency.
770,000 pensioners are eligible for pension credit but not receiving it. The Government could take a targeted approach to get these people to apply. Why have they not done so? When will we see more action from the Government?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the work he is doing in his constituency. I assure him that that is exactly what the Government are doing. We recently launched an “invitation to claim” trial, which has been rolled out in 10 constituencies and is using housing benefit data to target those who might also be eligible for pension credit. We will report back on the results of that trial later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged efforts but did not fully address lack of action or specific timeline beyond reporting back on trial results
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The question highlights the struggles pensioners face during winter due to rising costs, suggesting that more needs to be done.
Winter is approaching and many worried pensioners will have to choose between heating and eating. The Government should take real action to tackle the cost of living crisis. When will we see meaningful action?
With respect to the hon. Lady, that is exactly what we are doing. That is why we have put the cost of living payments in place, which are worth £900 to all those on pension credit, and why a cost of living pensioner payment worth £300 is coming out in the winter.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the stigma attached to claiming pension credit and seeks action to remove it.
There is a stigma attached to claiming pension credit, which affects poorer pensioners who need the money. What action can be taken to remove this stigma?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right on that, and I praise all the work he has done in his constituency on pension credit. We are trying to do exactly what he sets out: encourage as many people as possible to claim this important benefit.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions beyond encouraging claims without detail
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses inaccuracies in recording top-up contributions to the state pension, impacting pensioners' financial security.
Daily Mail investigation showed that the Government are failing to accurately record people's top-up contributions. Pensioners are terrified their money has disappeared. When will the Government address this issue?
With the comprehensive package of support I have talked about today, we have shown that we are taking action during the cost of living crisis to help pensioners as much as we can. We know that accuracy is the most important thing when it comes to the state pension, which is why we have taken action very quickly to correct issues where they have occurred.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific action for correcting inaccuracies in recording contributions
Response accuracy