6-10-03

Government must now ensure pensioners get the money to which they are entitled – Barrett

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has called on the Government to set itself tough targets on the take-up of Pension Credit on the day of the Credit's introduction.

Pension Credit, which is available from today, is a new entitlement that replaces the Minimum Income Guarantee but also gives extra money to pensioners with small amounts of savings and private pensions.

However, whilst the Government estimates that almost 30,000 pensioners in Edinburgh will be eligible for the new pension credit, they also admit that some 8,000 pensioners will not claim it and miss out.

Mr Barrett recently joined representatives of the Pension Service at the Gyle Shopping Centre in his constituency or advertise the Credit and encourage local pensioners to claim.

Commenting, John Barrett said:

"Although I would have preferred to see an improved state pension with additional help for older pensioners, it is still important for older people to apply for the Pension Credit to ensure they can get the money they are entitled to.

"Whilst the Government is in the process of writing to pensioners, informing them about the Credit, the debacle that was the introduction of the other tax credits earlier in the year leaves with me no confidence whatsoever in the Government's actions.

"Worse still, the Government has admitted that one million pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are unlikely to claim.  This means that around 8,000 pensioners in Edinburgh may not get the cash due to them.  After promising to tackle pensioner poverty, this simply is not good enough.

"I know that some pensioners in my own constituency have not applied for the Credit because they don't want to claim benefits.  However, people must realise that the Credit is an entitlement, not a benefit and that it is money with their name on it. 

"Anyone who thinks they might be eligible for the Pension Credit but who have not yet applied should ring the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 for further information or write to my constituency office at 1A Drum Brae Avenue, Edinburgh."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Pension Service will write to Pensioners between April 2003 and June 2004. The Pension Credit was introduced today (6th October).  Those who apply before October 2004 will be able to backdate their claim. 

2. The Government's expects 2.8 million of the 9 million pensioners to take up Pension Credit in 2004.  It has said that 3.8 million people are entitled to it.

3. People can phone the Pension Service to apply for Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234.

4. The Pension Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 or over an income of at least £102.10 a week if you are single or £155.80 a week if you have a partner.  Pension Credit will give new money to those who have saved - up to: £14.79 if you are single or £19.20 a week if you have a partner.

5. A high res photograph of John Barrett MP with representatives of the Pension Service at the Gyle Shopping Centre can be downloaded.

ENDS