MINISTERS DUCK RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNCLAIMED PENSION CREDIT.
 
The UK government failed to answer when SNP MP Patricia Gibson asked what action it would take to ensure all pensioners eligible for Pension Credit claim it.
 
Almost 2 million people aged 65 and over are living in poverty in the UK, yet since 2017 the UK Government has retained £7 billion worth of unclaimed Pension Credit  – the income-related benefit specifically designed to lift pensioners out of poverty.
 
It is estimated that Scottish pensioners are missing out on £332 million worth of pension credit payments. Independent Age, the older people’s charity, attributes this to the Tory government’s failure to act.
 
Commenting, Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said:
 
“It is scandalous that in my constituency alone, over £7 million of Pension Credit payments remain unclaimed and therefore retained by the Treasury – the UK government must take urgent action to ensure those eligible for the benefit get it instead of kicking the can down the road.
 
“We are witnessing a rise in pensioner poverty due to harmful Tory austerity cuts yet the Tories continue to add fuel to the fire by slashing pension credit, reneging on their manifesto commitment to keep TV licenses free for over-75s and maintaining the lowest pension in the developed world.
 
“Pensioners in Scotland deserve better than these constant attacks from the Tories. The only way to ensure Scotland’s older people live with the dignity and respect they deserve is with independence.”
 
Patricia Gibson MP’s question can be found here –  https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-06-27/debates/F2E96369-6448-4E58-AA9D-8C483C7461C6/BusinessOfTheHouse
 
Scottish pensioners ‘missing out on £332 million in benefits’ –  https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-pensioners-missing-out-332-17269913
 
A million pensioners in poverty because of unclaimed pension credit – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/26/a-million-pensioners-in-poverty-because-of-unclaimed-benefits