PENSION CREDIT

That this House notes with concern the fact that there are up to 1.8 million pensioners who are eligible, but do not receive, pension credit, resulting in £1.3 billion in pension credit going unclaimed; recognises that this represents a take-up rate of between 59 per cent. and 67 per cent., below the Government's stated target of 73 per cent; urges the Government to address the reasons why some pensioners do not claim their entitlement, such as being unaware of the rules, a belief that they are ineligible to claim, an unwillingness to disclose personal information and a complicated and off-putting claiming process; and calls on the Government to work with pensioner groups and other voluntary bodies to encourage a greater take-up of pension credit so that pensioners receive the money to which they are entitled.