Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pension Credit: Uptake

Monday 11 November 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government launched a radio, TV, and print media campaign for pension credit initiative.
  • Since late July, there has been a 152% increase in pension credit claims with over 74,000 claims by mid-September.
  • Department is working on simplifying the pension credit application form and will report back by month-end.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Winter 2024-25 is approaching, and there's concern about the uptake of pension credit among eligible individuals.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase uptake of pension credit in winter 2024-25. She notes that a campaign has been launched on radio, TV, and print media, but asks for more details on actions taken by the Government.

Answer from Emma Reynolds

We have launched a radio, TV, and print media campaign for the next phase of our pension credit initiative. Additionally, we are merging housing benefit and pension credit, which was announced by the Conservatives but not delivered after 13 years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about additional steps beyond current initiatives; no specific new actions were detailed

How: Under Consideration

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Q2 Lewis Atkinson Lab Sunderland Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

There is a concern that under the previous government, many eligible pensioners did not receive the pension credit they were due. The questioner mentions Age UK Sunderland as an example of organizations reporting this issue.

Question

How many pensioners are now taking up pension credit thanks to actions taken by the current Government?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

Since late July, there has been a 152% increase in pension credit claims with over 74,000 claims up to mid-September. Local authorities and Members of this House are assisting pensioners on low incomes to ascertain their eligibility.

Answered
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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Some eligible pensioners in remote areas might miss out on pension credit due to connectivity issues. The questioner suggests using a database and mailshot for outreach.

Question

May I suggest the Department look at making the application form simpler and consider a database followed by a mailshot?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

In addition to merging housing benefit and pension credit, we are asking the Department to look at simplifying the application form. They will report back by month-end.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a database/mailshot campaign; no specific timeline or plan was provided

How: Under Review

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Q4 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner welcomes the government's campaign and mentions that assessing someone for pension credit is complex.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we should highlight the fact that pensioners who go over the threshold could still be eligible because they receive another benefit, such as attendance allowance?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

Yes. We urge all those on low incomes to check their eligibility for pension credit, and local authorities, MPs, and charities are helping people apply online.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about specific highlighting of certain benefits; no detailed plan was provided

How: Under Consideration

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Q5 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Temperatures are expected to drop in Scotland, and many pensioners fear putting on heating due to the cost. The Big Issue reports a three-month delay in claiming pension credit.

Question

What is she doing to ensure that those claims are processed as quickly as possible?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

We have redeployed 500 staff to process pension credit claims more quickly. We are focused on getting the support into people's pockets as soon as possible.

Answered
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Q6 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The government's decision to withdraw winter fuel payments and distribute benefits via pension credit is rushed, without proper scrutiny.

Question

Will they produce a full impact assessment of this policy? When will the Minister respond to the chair of the advisory committee?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

We have published an equality analysis on our website. No need for an impact assessment due to legislation, but an equality analysis is available. Ministers will respond in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a full impact assessment and response timeline; only an equality analysis was mentioned

How: Legislation Requirement

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Q7 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The government predicts savings from cutting winter fuel payments, relying on pension credit uptake to mitigate the effect. However, their figures suggest only a small portion of eligible pensioners will claim.

Question

Does she want all eligible pensioners to claim pension credit? If so, does she accept that Government's savings from this policy will be wiped out?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

Yes to encouraging all eligible pensioners to claim. The government believes in the policy's efficacy but does not comment directly on financial impacts or savings mitigation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about the impact on predicted savings; no direct response was given

How: Legislation Requirement

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Q8 Steve Darling Lib Dem Torbay
Veterans
Context

The Royal British Legion's 'Credit their Service' campaign aims to ensure that military compensation is not disregarded when calculating benefits. This issue was raised on Armistice Day.

Question

On Armistice Day, it is important for the Chamber to reflect on the Royal British Legion and its 'Credit their Service' campaign, which seeks to disregard military compensation in pension credit calculations. Will the Secretary of State give serious consideration to disregarding such compensation?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

I associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's comments and those of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I will look carefully at what the hon. Gentleman has suggested and get back to him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific consideration and action regarding disregarding military compensation in pension credit calculations

How: Will Look Carefully

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