AGE CONCERN AND BENEFIT TAKE UP

That this House notes with concern that the latest Government figures, Income Related Figures: Estimates of Take Up in 1993-94, published by the Department of Social Security in December 1995, show that as many as one third of pensioners who are entitled to income related benefits are not claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit to the value of ú1.2 billion; congratulates Age Concern for drawing attention to this during its Your Rights Week between 22nd and 28th April; is disappointed that the Government has still not initiated an effective campaign to encourage pensioners to take up the benefit to which they are entitled; and calls upon the Government to review its policy.