Baroness Meacher
Main Page: Baroness Meacher (Crossbench - Life peer)
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)
I thank my noble friend for that question because pension credits are important, particularly for very vulnerable pensioners and those on very low incomes. At the moment, there are about 1.4 million people claiming around £5 billion in pension credit but only about 73% of the people who should be taking it up are doing so. The important thing is that we have to continue to raise awareness. We have put out many letters to pensioners while encouraging them, through the press and social media, to take this up because it is money that is sitting there and should be in their pockets.
Baroness Meacher (CB)
My Lords, I fully understand why the Government have had to cancel or suspend the triple lock this year. I also understand that the whole population will take a hit from the inflation increase. I am not sure whether this figure is available but, if it is, can the Minister tell the House what percentage increase in pensions there will be this year, to provide some compensation to pensioners for the huge inflation rate that we all anticipate?
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)
I cannot give the figure for that but am very happy to find somebody who can. I will let not only the noble Baroness but the House know it.