Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take with local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit.

The Government wants everyone eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to.

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions wrote to all local authorities on 20^th August. The letter acknowledged the vital role local authorities play in supporting their communities. The Government recognises that many local authorities already do a huge amount of work to promote benefit take-up. We are asking that local authorities support our national Pension Credit campaign and help us reach those eligible pensioners who have not claimed Pension Credit, so they continue to receive an annual Winter Fuel Payment.

We will continue to work with external partners, local authorities and the devolved governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.