Pension Credit

Blake Stephenson (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con) asked what steps the Minister is taking to ensure pensioners who are eligible for but have not previously claimed pension credit receive a winter fuel payment in winter 2024-25. Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab) asked what steps the Department is taking to help increase the uptake of pension credit. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Emma Reynolds, stated that the government has been running a national campaign since September across various channels, including print and broadcast media, to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. The government will continue to work with external partners, local authorities, and devolved governments to boost the take-up of pension credit. Blake Stephenson followed up, noting that around 93% of pensioners in Mid Bedfordshire face losing the winter fuel payment this year, with some earning less than £1,000 a month. He asked what further support the Minister will give them to fill Labour's "black hole" in their household finances so that they can keep warm this winter. Emma Reynolds responded by stating that the winter fuel payment was once described as the "largest benefit paid to pensioners...regardless of need, giving money to wealthier pensioners when working people on lower incomes do not get similar support." She noted that these were not her own words, but rather the words of the Conservatives' 2017 manifesto. Paul Davies welcomed the collaboration between the Deputy Prime Minister, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and local authorities and charities for the annual pension credit week of action during the recess. He asked what more can be done to ensure that low-income pensioners receive pension credit. Emma Reynolds stated that the government was pleased to see 160 local authorities respond positively to their call for action, and that they are working with the government to drive the boost in uptake of pension credit. She also mentioned that the government will be bringing together the administration of housing benefit and pension credit in a way that the former government failed to do.