Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Older People

Wednesday 21 October 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Peter Grant inquired about over 2000 pensioner households in his constituency losing out on 5.4 million annually due to unawareness of their entitlement to pension credit.
  • The Minister mentioned the launch of an 'Apply for Pension Credit' online service on May 6 to supplement existing telephone applications.
  • Anne McLaughlin highlighted that more than 2 billion annually is the legal right of older people, emphasizing the importance of pension credit in enhancing quality of life.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Grant SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

In Peter Grant's constituency, over 2,000 pensioner households are missing out on £5.4 million in pension credit payments annually due to lack of awareness.

Question

Over 2,000 pensioner households in my Glenrothes and Central Fife constituency are losing out on £5.4 million in pension credit payments every year because they do not know that they are entitled to them. Will the Minister agree to urge her Cabinet colleagues to enshrine in law a duty for the UK Government to publish an uptake strategy for pension credits?

Answer from Mims Davies

The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that on 6 May, we launched the 'Apply for Pension Credit' service, which is an online claim service that supplements the existing telephone and—[Inaudible.]

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific legal requirement requested.

How: [Inaudible]

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Q2 Peter Grant SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Over 2,000 pensioner households in Peter Grant's constituency are missing out on £5.4 million in pension credit payments annually due to lack of awareness.

Question

In my Glenrothes and Central Fife constituency, over 2,000 pensioner households are losing out on £5.4 million in pension credit payments every year because they do not know that they are entitled to them; the Scottish Government have published an uptake strategy for benefits under their control. Will the Minister agree to urge her Cabinet colleagues to enshrine in law a duty for the UK Government to publish an uptake strategy for pension credits and other benefits controlled at Westminster?

Answer from Mims Davies

The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that on 6 May, we launched the 'Apply for Pension Credit' service, which is an online claim service that supplements the existing telephone and—[Inaudible.]

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific legal requirement requested.

How: [Inaudible]

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Q3 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

It is estimated that over £2 billion annually is unclaimed by older people on the islands, representing a legal entitlement.

Question

There is more than £2 billion out there every year that is the legal right of older people on those islands. Pension credit does not make anybody wealthy, but it can make the difference between loneliness and misery or engaging in life again. Will the Minister responsible for fighting for those older people agree to take this on as an equalities issue and put resources into ensuring that people have the knowledge and support—including support in using the online service she mentioned—to access what is a legal entitlement?

Answer from Mims Davies

In supporting our older people, pension credit is an absolute priority for this Government. About 1 million pensioners will receive a winter windfall of £140 off their fuel bills thanks to the Government's work with energy firms. The DWP cross-matches these pension credit customers with data held by pension suppliers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify resources or support for accessing pension credits beyond general statements.

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