Oral Answers to Questions

Steve McCabe Excerpts

Monday 18th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Paul Maynard]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. If she writes to me with further details, I will ensure that the relevant Minister is able to look into the case.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

With more than 9 million pensioners now paying income tax —many, as we have just heard, as a result of frozen allowances—and almost 1 million not receiving pension credit to which they are rightly entitled, does the Minister think it might be time to improve the uptake of pension credit?

[Paul Maynard]

I am pleased to be able to say that applications to receive pension credit are currently increasing, quarter on quarter.

[Steve McCabe]

indicated dissent.

[Paul Maynard]

If the hon. Gentleman will wait and listen to the answer, I will explain what we are doing to increase uptake of pension credit. Not only do we have major nationwide campaigns, our latest one featuring Harry Redknapp; we are also carrying out experimental campaigns, such as writing to all those pensioners who are in receipt of housing benefit, to make sure that those most likely to be eligible for pension credit are being targeted to take it up.