Pension Credit

I am aware that Independent Age has published research suggesting that as many as 1.3 million pensioners might not be receiving the Pension Credit they are entitled to. Alongside the publication of this research, I am also aware that Independent Age is calling on the Government to introduce an action plan to increase the take-up of Pension Credit.  

According to the Government’s own statistics, only 60% of those eligible for Pension Credit are currently in receipt of it. In 2016-17, the average weekly amount of unclaimed Pension Credit was £49 per household. This amounts to £7 billion of unclaimed Pension Credit since June 2017.  

Pension Credit is income-related support paid to the least well-off pensioners. It is means-tested and passports people to other support available to them, including free prescriptions, housing benefit, council tax support and the warm home discount.  

It has also recently been announced that free TV licences for over-75s will be means-tested from June 2020, by linking them to Pension Credit. I believe this decision is wrong, as television can play an important role in tackling loneliness among the elderly.  

In my view, the Government’s Pension Credit toolkit, which contains resources and guidance on accessing the benefit, is simply not good enough. Last year, it was accessed by just 2,000 people. The fact that so many households in the UK are not claiming the Pension Credit to which they are entitled to shows that the Government’s efforts are simply not working.  

With one million pensioners now living in poverty and this figure continuing to rise, I think it is vital that the Government acts to ensure that all those who are eligible for Pension Credit take-up their qualification.   Alongside Pension Credit, I believe the Government should guarantee the free bus pass as a universal benefit for all pensioners.  

I believe that the contributions made by people throughout their lives should be properly recognised in old age, and that is why I am committed to ensuring that all older people receive the dignity and security they deserve.