Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had on the potential merits of granting 1950s-born women that are not eligible for universal credit but would otherwise be eligible for pension credit, early access to pension credit in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a range of issues.

The Government has introduced significant measures to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19. It is committed to providing financial support for people at every stage of their life, including when they near or reach retirement. The welfare system will continue to provide support to men and women who are unable to work or those who are on a low income but who are not eligible to pensioner benefits because of their age.