Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure pensioners eligible for Pension Credit claim before the 19 May 2023 deadline in order to qualify for the most recent £301 Cost of Living Payment.

As part of our ongoing drive to encourage eligible pensioners to claim Pension Credit, this year we have run extensive television adverts alongside other forms of advertising which highlight that Pension Credit is worth £3,500 a year on average – as well as up to £900 in cost of living payments.

On 9 May, we launched a media push reminding pensioners, their family and friends that there were “10 days to go” to claim Pension Credit and still potentially qualify for the first cost of living payment - if their claim is successfully backdated for the maximum period of 3 months. This message has received coverage across broadcast channels and in national and regional news outlets. On 10 May I held an event at Portcullis House, inviting all MPs to support the “10 days to go” campaign and get the message out to their constituents.