Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pension Credit Campaign: New Claims

Monday 11 July 2022 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial response indicated over 10,000 new Pension Credit claims were submitted across Great Britain on pension credit day of action on 15 June 2022.
  • Response marked a 275 percent increase in claims compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Philip Hollobone urged the Minister to use Pension Credit as a gateway to additional support worth an average of 3,300.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Since the start of the Department's Pension Credit campaign in April 2022, there has been a significant push to increase awareness and uptake of Pension Credit.

Question

What estimate does the Minister have of the number of new Pension Credit claims submitted in (a) Kettering constituency, (b) North Northamptonshire and (c) England since the start of her Department's Pension Credit campaign in April 2022?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Although constituency or regional figures cannot be broken down, during the pension credit day of action on 15 June, over 10,000 claims were received across Great Britain, marking a 275% increase compared to the same period in 2021.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific regional estimates for Kettering and North Northamptonshire could not be provided.

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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Pension Credit is a gateway benefit that can lead to additional support for older people, such as council tax relief and free TV licences.

Question

I congratulate the Minister on being the longest-serving Pensions Minister ever and thank him for visiting Kettering recently. I urge the Minister to use pension credit as a gateway benefit to encourage its uptake. Not only is it worth £3,300 in itself, but it also provides access to extra help with council tax, heating bills, NHS dental treatment, and free TV licences.

Answer from Guy Opperman

As Members of Parliament across all parties, it is our responsibility to ensure that people are aware they should apply for Pension Credit if in doubt. The benefit acts as a springboard to additional support worth an average of £3,300.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific plans or commitments beyond general encouragement.

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