Over 2000 Pensioner Household Missing out on Pension Credit in Hodge HiIl (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Over 2000 Pensioner Household Missing out on Pension Credit in Hodge HiIl

February 4, 2005 5:07 PM

Hodge Hill Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Nicola Davies has discovered that there are likely to be in the region of 2377 pensioner households in Hodge Hill eligible for the new Pension Credit but not receiving it. According to the Government's own figures only 70% of people entitled to this money are currently claiming it.

Nicola Davies said "These figures show that large numbers of vulnerable pensioners are set to miss out on the help they desperately need. The current system is complex and confusing. The Labour government should be ashamed that after eight years in Government so many of the poorest pensioners in Hodge Hill are still living so far beneath the poverty line. The only guaranteed way to ensure that pensioners have dignity and security in old age is through a decent state pension, payable as of right."

Nicola further said "That is why Liberal Democrats would guarantee £100 a month more on the pension at 75, over £130 a month for couples over 75, lifting a million pensioners out of means-testing at a stroke. Rather than forcing pensioners to apply for means-tested benefits the Government should be making sure that every pensioner gets a good basic pension."