Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pensioner Poverty

Monday 11 November 2024 · 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

  • Brendan O'Hara asked the Minister about steps to reduce pensioner poverty in Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber.
  • The SNP Government has opened applications for a pension age disability payment worth up to 434 a month for eligible pensioners.
  • Rachael Maskell asked the Minister to extend the deadline for applying for the winter fuel payment via the pension credit system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from concerns about the number of low-income pensioners not claiming pension credit and the removal of winter fuel payments by a new Labour Government.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of pensioner poverty. Pensioners in Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber are facing extremely worrying times as they cannot understand why their winter fuel payments were removed. The SNP Scottish Government has opened applications for the pension age disability payment worth up to £434 a month for pensioners with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

Answer from Emma Reynolds

The SNP Government's focus on pensioner poverty is good, but during their 17 years of government, pensioner poverty increased across Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Welcoming the initiative and encouraging application for pension age disability payment

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Q2 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Benefits & Welfare
Context

There is concern about the removal of winter fuel payments by a new Labour Government, despite these payments being vital for many pensioners during colder months.

Question

The first act of this new Labour Government was to remove winter fuel payments. The SNP Scottish Government has opened applications for the pension age disability payment worth up to £434 a month for eligible pensioners with disabilities or long-term health conditions, piloted in Scotland next year. Will the Minister join me in welcoming this initiative and encouraging those who are eligible to apply?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

The SNP Government's focus on increasing benefits for pensioners is good, but during their time in government, pensioner poverty levels increased.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Welcoming the initiative and encouraging application

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Pensioners have a limited time of only 40 days to apply for winter fuel payments via the pension credit system, causing concern among those who may miss out on this benefit.

Question

Pensioners in poverty now have just 40 days to apply for the winter fuel payment via the pension credit system. Will the Minister look at extending the deadline so that more people can claim pension credit and get the winter fuel payment?

Answer from Emma Reynolds

We have redeployed 500 additional staff to process claims, but the deadline remains at 21 December.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Extending the deadline for winter fuel payment applications via pension credits

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