Cost of Living: Support for Pensioners

Treasury – in the House of Commons at on 29 October 2024.

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Photo of Luke Taylor Luke Taylor Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (London)

What fiscal steps she is taking to support pensioners with the cost of living.

Photo of Emma Reynolds Emma Reynolds The Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

More than 12 million pensioners will be protected by this Government’s commitment to the triple lock, with the new full state pension expected to increase by around £1,700 over the course of this Parliament. Pensioners also benefit from free eye test, free NHS prescriptions and free bus passes.

Photo of Luke Taylor Luke Taylor Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (London)

We know that no impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision to cut the winter fuel payment, but was any consideration given to the burden that the daunting application form places on the elderly, and the extra burden on charities such as Age UK, which advise them on completing it? Evidence of that daunting burden is the 60% limit to uptake over the past decade. Will she work with her colleagues to simplify the application process, ease the burden on those who are losing the winter fuel payment, and help them receive the broad benefits that pension credit provides?

Photo of Emma Reynolds Emma Reynolds The Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The Government did an equality analysis on the change, which was published in September. I recommend that the hon. Gentleman take a look at it. It was such a long question that I have forgotten what he asked. On application forms—