Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve McCabe and Paul Maynard

Monday 13th May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Paul Maynard]

As I am sure my hon. Friend is aware, it is this Government who have doubled the personal allowance since 2010. It is absolutely clear that those who rely solely on the state pension are not liable for income tax.

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

We must all be aware of a growing number of pensioners who are struggling with rent, council tax and other cost of living increases. Given that state of affairs, does the Minister think there may be an argument that the threshold to access pension credit is too high and that if he were to lower it just a little, he would help a great many more people who are obviously struggling?

[Paul Maynard]

I draw the hon. Gentleman’s attention to the fact that the state pension has gone up by 8.5% this year, after an increase of 10.1% last year. On top of that, for those in receipt of pension credit we have added £900 in cost of living payments, and 8.9 million have received a £300 top-up to their winter fuel payment. We have spent billions on supporting pensioners through the cost of living crisis. As we established in the exchanges earlier, pensioner poverty remains stable.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve McCabe and Paul Maynard

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.