Oral Answers to Questions

Rachael Maskell Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Can I remind everybody that this is topical questions? I have a big list to get through. Rachael Maskell will give us a good example.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

T4. In York, the average rent rise of 11.9% exceeded the state pension rise by £380 this year. With the loss of the cost of living payments and winter fuel payments, and the increase in the energy price cap and cost of living, pensioners are frightened about how they are going to keep warm this winter, as am I. In changing the eligibility for the winter fuel payment, how will my right hon. Friend protect pensioners above the pension credit threshold to prevent cold, ill health or worse this winter?

[Rachel Reeves]

The basic state pension is worth £900 more than it was a year ago, and will go up again in April next year because of the triple lock, which we have committed to for the duration of this Parliament. We have already written to York council and are working with local authorities across the country to boost take-up of pension credit, because this Government, unlike the last Government, are determined to ensure that 800,000 people entitled to pension credit actually receive it.