I have been contacted by several constituents about Government support for pensioners and I thank them for sharing their views, which are duly noted.
The Government is fully committed to enabling older people to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. In April, the State Pension was increased by 10.1 per cent, in line with inflation. As a result, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension will be over £3,050 higher, in cash terms, than in 2010.
Regarding the uprating of the State Pension, the Government is maintaining the Triple Lock in full for 2024/25, meaning that in April 2024, the basic State Pension, new State Pension, and Pension Credit minimum guarantee will be uprated in line with September 2023 average earnings growth- 8.5 per cent. As a result, Pension Credit can top up a claimant's weekly income to £201.05 if they are single, or their joint weekly income to £306.85 if they have a partner.
Pension Credit provides vital financial support to pensioners on a low income and I want all eligible pensioners to claim it. It provides them with payments to assist with their living costs if they are over State Pension Age. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
While I appreciate your concerns about pensioners that live alone, I am confident that the Government is providing substantial support for pensioners through the welfare system. The Government provides free bus passes and prescriptions; Winter Fuel Payments; and Cold Weather Payments for those in receipt of Pension Credit. Targeted support is also provided through the £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, to be paid to all households in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments. You can read more here:
Mims Davies MP Welcomes £4.8 Billion in Government Support for Pensioners | Mims Davies
Furthermore, all pensioners will benefit from the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG). Although energy prices are currently below the level at which EPG payments would be made, it will remain in force until April 2024 to protect households from price spikes, putting in place a safety net for the most vulnerable.
An additional £1 billion of funding will be provided to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) this financial year, bringing total funding to £2.5 billion and I welcome that, since its launch in October 2021, the HSF has issued early 26 million awards to those in need of support.
I hope that this provides reassurance that pensioners in the UK are being adequately supported and that the most vulnerable will continue to be protected over the winter months
