Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has any plans to increase the take up of Pension Credit in light of the cost of living crisis.

We have already undertaken a range of actions this year to raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up including a comprehensive multi-channel paid advertising campaign, launched on 3 April. This has included newspaper, social media and website advertising, as well as radio promotion, messaging on public transport and messages on screens in hundreds of medical centres across Great Britain.

We have provided charities and other stakeholders working across local communities with updated information and resources, to help them to promote Pension Credit.

The Pension Credit campaign is aligned to the broader Cost of Living branding to ensure people understand its association with the Government’s Cost of Living support package. In addition to this, Pension Credit is highlighted on the Help for Households website to maximise visibility and drive additional visitors and help encourage claims.

Our campaign has also focussed on encouraging the private sector to help drive up claims, and to reach those who may have been reticent about claiming Pension Credit. On 15 June DWP held a second Pension Credit Day of Action with broadcasters, regional and national newspapers and other partners encouraging them to reach out to pensioners and their family and friends, through their channels. Our internal management information suggests it has been highly effective – with over 10,000 Pension Credit claims made across Great Britain that week – an increase of 275% compared to the same week the year before, which included the 2021 Pension Credit day of Action.

It is more important than ever before to ensure that eligible pensioners claim Pension Credit, because a successful claim qualifies them for the Cost of Living payments. Our messaging highlighted that Pension Credit claims can be backdated 3 months so claims made by 18 August and successfully backdated would also be eligible for the first Cost of Living payment. Ongoing awards will also qualify for the second Cost of Living payment.

The work to raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up is ongoing.