Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Inflation and Food Prices: Pensioners

Monday 4 September 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The state pension saw its largest ever rise of 10.1% in April due to the triple lock.
  • An "invitation to claim" trial using housing benefit data has been rolled out in 10 constituencies to target eligible pensioners.
  • Cost of living payments worth 900 for those on pension credit and a 300 winter payment are in place to support pensioners.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly inflation and food prices, affecting pensioners' financial stability.

Question

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.

Answer from Laura Trott

In April, the state pension saw its largest ever rise of 10.1%, thanks to the triple lock protecting pensioners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address inflation and food prices impact directly, only mentioned a previous increase in state pensions

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Benefits & Welfare
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Laura Trott

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledged efforts but did not fully address lack of action or specific timeline beyond reporting back on trial results

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Q3 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question highlights the struggles pensioners face during winter due to rising costs, suggesting that more needs to be done.

Question

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?

Answer from Laura Trott

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.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the stigma attached to claiming pension credit and seeks action to remove it.

Question

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?

Answer from Laura Trott

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions beyond encouraging claims without detail

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Q5 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses inaccuracies in recording top-up contributions to the state pension, impacting pensioners' financial security.

Question

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?

Answer from Laura Trott

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific action for correcting inaccuracies in recording contributions

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