Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to encourage those entitled to an enhanced State Pension as a result of Home Responsibilities Protection to apply.

The Government has taken significant steps to encourage people who may be entitled to an increase in their State Pension as a result of missing Home Responsibilities Protection to come forward. This has included writing to over 370,000 potentially affected customers, securing national and local media coverage, and working with organisations such as Age UK and Citizens Advice.

HM Revenue and Customs is continuing to contact potentially affected customers as part of its ongoing work to identify and support those who may be entitled to missing Home Responsibilities Protection. Following research and feedback from the earlier campaign, communications have been revised to make them clearer and more accessible.

The Government is also improving GOV.UK guidance, promoting checks of National Insurance records, including relevant information in annual State Pension uprating letters, and working with external organisations to reach potentially eligible people.

Anyone who believes they may have missing Home Responsibilities Protection can use the online eligibility checker and make a claim through GOV.UK.