Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Pensioners

Monday 21 March 2022 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government will spend over 129 billion on state pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain.
  • A 200 discount on energy bills is available for domestic electricity customers in Great Britain from autumn.
  • State pension has increased by 2,300 in cash terms over the last eight years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

No specific incident mentioned, but raises concerns about the rising cost of living for pensioners.

Question

What steps is she taking to help support pensioners with the cost of living?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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.

Answered
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Q2 Scott Benton
Economy Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Acknowledges the Secretary of State's visit to Blackpool and opening a new youth hub. Raises concerns about pensioners' ability to access benefits.

Question

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?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Raises concerns about high energy bills affecting pensioners in Bridgend. Criticizes the government for its policies.

Question

What more will the Department do to ensure that older people in my constituency get more support with their energy bills?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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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Q4 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Raises concerns about pensioners living in poverty and missing out on benefits.

Question

When will the Government finally get a grip and resolve these problems?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to resolve pensioner poverty and benefit issues

How: With Respect, The Statistics Are Correct

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Q5 Jonathan Gullis
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Asks about the benefits available to residents who claim pension credit.

Question

Could my hon. Friend advise local people what support becomes available to them if they submit a valid claim for pension credit?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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 Henry Smith Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Asks about the success in increasing pension credit take-up and invites him to an older persons fair.

Question

What success has my hon. Friend had in ensuring there is greater take-up of pension credit in the Crawley constituency?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about success and initiatives for increasing pension credit take-up

How: All Roads Lead To Crawley

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Q7 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Raises concerns about pensioners facing a rise in the cost of living and criticizes the government for not addressing it adequately.

Question

Just when will the Government start listening to pensioners?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timing or commitment to address pensioners' rising cost of living

How: The Hon. Member Will Be Aware

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Q8 Alan Brown SNP
Economy Energy Benefits & Welfare
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Guy Opperman

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.

Not addressed: The increase in heating bills and the £500 reduction per pensioner due to breaking the triple lock promise were not addressed.

How: I Wish The Hon. Gentleman A Swift Recovery From His Injury.

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