Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gerald Jones and Laura Trott

Monday 4th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[Samantha Dixon (City of Chester) (Lab)]

13. What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of (a) inflation and (b) food prices on pensioners’ incomes.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Laura Trott)]

In April, the state pension saw its largest ever rise of 10.1%, thanks to the triple lock protecting pensioners.

[Gerald Jones]

We know that 770,000 pensioners are eligible for pension credit but are not receiving it. A few months ago, I joined my local citizens advice bureau to organise a pension credit action day. As a result, an additional £200,000 was drawn down to people across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. The Government have the data and could take a much more targeted approach to get eligible people to apply, so why have they not taken that action? When will we see more action from the Government?

[Laura Trott]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for the work he is doing in his constituency. I assure him that that is exactly what the Government are doing. We recently launched an “invitation to claim” trial, which has been rolled out in 10 constituencies and is using housing benefit data to target those who might also be eligible for pension credit. We will report back on the results of that trial later this year.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gerald Jones and Laura Trott

Monday 31st October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Laura Trott]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point but it is difficult to enrol people automatically on pension credit given the data the Government hold. I am, however, keen to see how increased data sharing could be used to produce a larger number of claims.

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

12. What support his Department is providing to pensioners during the cost of living crisis.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

14. What support his Department is providing to pensioners during the cost of living crisis.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Laura Trott)]

This winter more than 8 million pensioner households will receive an increased winter fuel payment; in addition, those eligible for pension credit will receive an extra £650. This Government will always support the most vulnerable.

[Gerald Jones]

Earlier this month I contacted approximately 6,000 people in my constituency who may have been eligible for pension credit, and about 200 people attended a local action day organised with my local citizens advice bureaux. Citizens Advice informs me that as of last week at least £200,000 has been accessed in take-up of pension credit and other benefits as a result of contacts on that day. So far the Department’s action has been limited and half-hearted; the Government should put their money where their mouth is and pay pensioners what they are entitled to. With the information and data the Government have at their disposal, what further action will they take to increase pension credit take-up?

[Laura Trott]

I applaud the hon. Gentleman for the work he is doing in his constituency. This is an incredibly important matter; seven out of 10 people who are entitled to pension credit claim it and we want to drive that rate up. My hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman) has done a huge amount of work on this and I intend to continue that in the Department.