New clause 1 - Advice
State Pension Credit Bill [Lords]
10:30 pm
Ms Maria Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Minister for Disabled People), Department for Work and Pensions; Liverpool, Garston, Labour)
Yes. The hon. Gentleman anticipates my next remarks. It is important that we do not simply give people a blue badge and let them loose to say whatever they like. Fully trained Pension Service staff will provide the information, and their focus will be entirely on the needs of pensioners. We should be able to ensure that we have a responsible, dedicated service, suitable for each local area, in addition to the call centre and the telephone-based service that will be offered.
Before I deal with the new clause, I shall answer some of the points made during the debate. The hon. Member for Northavon asked how we shall get from where we are now to where we should like to be. That is a question that Liberal Democrats do not always have to answer. We shall do it over a period of time. The call centres are being established and we shall develop the local service over the next year or 18 months. Until that happens, pensioners will not notice a change. They will still be able to go into their local social security office in order to receive the advice and help that they need.