Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial support to pensioners in Newport West constituency for winter 2021-22.

We spend over £129bn on benefits for pensioners in GB - 5.7% of GDP. This figure has never been higher. This includes spending on the State Pension which is forecast to be over £105bn in this financial year.

Pension Credit provides invaluable financial support for vulnerable pensioners. Around 1.4 million eligible pensioners across Great Britain receive some £5bn in Pension Credit, which tops up their retirement income and is a passport to other financial help such as support with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.

In addition, we also make Winter Fuel Payments worth £2 billion every year – £200 for households with somebody who has reached State Pension age and is under age 80; or £300 for households with somebody aged 80 and over.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides short-term support with energy bills through rebates, helping households stay warm and healthy in winter. The scheme currently provides those on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with a £140 rebate off their winter energy bill.

Cold Weather Payments help vulnerable people in receipt of certain income-related benefits to meet additional heating costs during periods of unseasonably cold weather between 1st November and 31st March. This includes older people in receipt of Pension Credit. Those eligible will continue to automatically receive £25 when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days

The latest available data indicates that in Newport West constituency there are 2,423 pensioners claiming Pension Credit and 15,729 in receipt of a State Pension. In addition, in 2019/20 15,890 customers in Newport West received a winter fuel payment.