Oral Answers to Questions

Huw Merriman Excerpts

Monday 1st February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

This is about doing the right thing and having the flexibility so that people do not fall beneath an artificial line. If this is so wrong, why did Labour Members not introduce this when they brought in the measures for the private sector? It is right to make sure that those who need the support—the vulnerable in society—are given the right support.

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

8. What steps he plans to take to maintain the level of pensioners’ incomes during this Parliament.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

The Government will triple lock the basic and new state pension, top up income to a guaranteed minimum level for the poorest pensioners, and protect benefits for older people, including free eye tests, NHS prescriptions, bus passes, television licences for those aged 75 and over, and winter fuel payments.

[Huw Merriman]

Given that 28% of my constituents are over 65, compared with a national average of 17%, the Minister’s answer is welcome news indeed. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that pensioners claim all their state entitlement?