Huw Merriman asks the Department for Work and Pensions what steps they will take to maintain the level of pensioner’s income over the Parliament.

Text from Hansard:

Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con): 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?

Mr Vara: My hon. Friend makes a good point. I can assure him that the Government use a wide range of channels. On pension credit, we believe that one of the best ways to reach people is through community partners, and we provide a web-based pension credit toolkit containing a range of resources to encourage take-up among pensioners. Information and leaflets on other benefits are also available from the Department’s offices, advice agencies and local authorities, as well as some post offices and doctors surgeries. Information about all benefits and how they may be claimed is readily available on the gov.uk website.

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