State Pension: Age Increase

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Baroness Sherlock

Thursday 14th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

My Lords, to separate those two out, the Treasury has published documentation on GOV.UK relating to the Budget and an impact assessment of different aspects of the Budget. On the question of the winter fuel payment, the noble Baroness will know that the vast majority of people who will be entitled to it are being encouraged, if necessary, to apply for pension credit or other benefits. For most of the rest, many of them will not be in employment and will not intend to be in employment. The winter fuel payment is aimed at people of pension age, so I do not see the connection between the winter fuel payment and national insurance, but if the noble Baroness wants to speak to me about it afterwards, I am happy to talk to her.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that one of the best ways to get these kinds of messages over to older people is through the network of voluntary organisations, particularly Age UK, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age Northern Ireland? Will she and her department mobilise that network to get this message across?

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

My noble friend is a great advocate for Age UK and its counterpart organisations, and they welcome his advocacy. We have a good relationship with Age UK and other charities in this sphere. They have been very effective at getting messages out, but I come back to the fact that we have to get messages out across the piece. Messaging about the state pension age is aimed at people who are not yet retired, including me, so we need to get messages out everywhere people get their information. One of the ways of doing that is through family and friends—spread the word. Please make sure that everyone is aware of this: go on GOV.UK to “Check your State Pension age” and “Check your State Pension forecast”.