Oral Answers to Questions

Gerald Jones Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Laura Trott]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point but it is difficult to enrol people automatically on pension credit given the data the Government hold. I am, however, keen to see how increased data sharing could be used to produce a larger number of claims.

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

12. What support his Department is providing to pensioners during the cost of living crisis.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

14. What support his Department is providing to pensioners during the cost of living crisis.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Laura Trott)]

This winter more than 8 million pensioner households will receive an increased winter fuel payment; in addition, those eligible for pension credit will receive an extra £650. This Government will always support the most vulnerable.

[Gerald Jones]

Earlier this month I contacted approximately 6,000 people in my constituency who may have been eligible for pension credit, and about 200 people attended a local action day organised with my local citizens advice bureaux. Citizens Advice informs me that as of last week at least £200,000 has been accessed in take-up of pension credit and other benefits as a result of contacts on that day. So far the Department’s action has been limited and half-hearted; the Government should put their money where their mouth is and pay pensioners what they are entitled to. With the information and data the Government have at their disposal, what further action will they take to increase pension credit take-up?

[Laura Trott]

I applaud the hon. Gentleman for the work he is doing in his constituency. This is an incredibly important matter; seven out of 10 people who are entitled to pension credit claim it and we want to drive that rate up. My hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman) has done a huge amount of work on this and I intend to continue that in the Department.