Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Huw Merriman

Monday 1st February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

8. What steps he plans to take to maintain the level of pensioners’ incomes during this Parliament.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

The Government will triple lock the basic and new state pension, top up income to a guaranteed minimum level for the poorest pensioners, and protect benefits for older people, including free eye tests, NHS prescriptions, bus passes, television licences for those aged 75 and over, and winter fuel payments.

[Huw Merriman]

Given that 28% of my constituents are over 65, compared with a national average of 17%, the Minister’s answer is welcome news indeed. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that pensioners claim all their state entitlement?