Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support women born in the 1950s affected by State Pension age changes in City of Durham constituency.

We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their yearly basic State Pension rise by around £1,500, or their new State Pension rise by around £1,900, over this parliament, through our commitment to the Triple Lock.

Pension Credit provides vital financial support for pensioners, including women. It tops up state and private pensions to a guaranteed weekly minimum - the Standard Minimum Guarantee, which, for single pensioners, is set to increase from £218.15 to £227.10 in April 2025.

In order to maximise take-up, we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit campaign because we want all eligible pensioners to claim what they are entitled to.

The Government offers further direct financial help to low-income pensioners through the Warm Home Discount – and the Department for Work and Pensions provides Cold Weather Payments (in England & Wales), and discretionary support through the Household Support Fund in England to support those most in need.

For those people who are unable to work but who are not yet eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.