Cost of Living Pensioners 2022-03-21
2022-03-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
No specific incident mentioned, but raises concerns about the rising cost of living for pensioners.
What steps is she taking to help support pensioners with the cost of living?
This year, we will spend more than £129 billion on the state pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain, including, as I said, £5 billion on pension credit for the vulnerable. Pensioners can also benefit from wider Government support with energy costs on top of the warm home discount, the winter fuel payment and cold weather support.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Acknowledges the Secretary of State's visit to Blackpool and opening a new youth hub. Raises concerns about pensioners' ability to access benefits.
What steps is he taking to ensure that those eligible for pension credit and the expanded warm home discount are able to apply and do so?
I have written to all local papers in the country. There is a £200 discount on energy bills from this autumn for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain. There is also the £150 non-repayable council tax rebate and the £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to support households who need support but are not eligible for the council tax rebate.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Raises concerns about high energy bills affecting pensioners in Bridgend. Criticizes the government for its policies.
What more will the Department do to ensure that older people in my constituency get more support with their energy bills?
There is a £200 discount on energy bills from this autumn for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain. There is also the £150 non-repayable council tax rebate and the £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to support households who need support but are not eligible for the council tax rebate.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Raises concerns about pensioners living in poverty and missing out on benefits.
When will the Government finally get a grip and resolve these problems?
With respect, there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty, both before and after housing costs, than in 2009-10. The state pension was barely £100 when the Government changed in 2010; it will be over £185 this coming year. It has risen by £2,300 in cash terms over the last eight years.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to resolve pensioner poverty and benefit issues
With Respect
The Statistics Are Correct
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Asks about the benefits available to residents who claim pension credit.
Could my hon. Friend advise local people what support becomes available to them if they submit a valid claim for pension credit?
Literally hundreds of pounds a month can become available in the form of support for housing, council tax, the TV licence for the over-75s, NHS dental, warm home discounts and many other things—as I am setting out in my hon. Friend's local paper.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Asks about the success in increasing pension credit take-up and invites him to an older persons fair.
What success has my hon. Friend had in ensuring there is greater take-up of pension credit in the Crawley constituency?
Again, all roads lead to Crawley, and quite right too. I would be delighted to attend my hon. Friend's older persons fair in the summer or the autumn. It is definitely the case that there is a larger take-up of pension credits on an ongoing basis.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about success and initiatives for increasing pension credit take-up
All Roads Lead To Crawley
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Raises concerns about pensioners facing a rise in the cost of living and criticizes the government for not addressing it adequately.
Just when will the Government start listening to pensioners?
The hon. Member will be aware that we raised state pension by 2.5% this year, when we did not need to do so, and it is going up by 3.1% in April, on top of which there is the support from the Chancellor with the £9 billion scheme set out only a few weeks ago.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timing or commitment to address pensioners' rising cost of living
The Hon. Member Will Be Aware
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The latest figures show an increase in the number of pensioners living in poverty, with projected higher heating costs and a reduction in pension increases due to breaking the triple lock promise. The question aims to hold the government accountable for addressing these issues.
Despite the Government's claims, there are 200,000 more pensioners in poverty compared to 2018-19, with heating bills set to rise by over £800 a year and a reduction of £500 a year due to breaking the triple lock promise. Does the Minister agree that Wednesday represents an opportunity for the Chancellor to reverse these negative trends?
I wish the hon. Gentleman a swift recovery from his injury. Pensioner poverty is declining compared to 2009-10, despite the statistic presented. The state pension has increased year on year and we have never paid a higher state pension than currently.
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Assessment & feedback
The increase in heating bills and the £500 reduction per pensioner due to breaking the triple lock promise were not addressed.
I Wish The Hon. Gentleman A Swift Recovery From His Injury.
Response accuracy