Pension Credit uptake

That this House encourages the UK Government to promote pension credit uptake amongst those who are eligible; urges the UK Government to promote the additional benefits that can be claimed alongside pension credit, such as support with council tax, support with rent in the form of Housing Benefit, alongside help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges; notes that the additional benefits also include support with healthcare costs, such as free NHS dental treatment, support towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital; further notes that pension credit claimants may also be able to receive a free TV license; highlights that if pension credit claimants are carers they may be able to receive extra support in the form of the Carer Addition; notes that the Cold Weather Payment may also be available to claimants if the temperature drops to 0°C or below for seven days in a row; emphasises the research by Independent Age which found that just 61 per cent of those eligible for pension credit are receiving it, meaning that around 450,000 pensioners could move out of poverty if uptake was greatly increased; expresses urgency to the UK Government to ensure that the billions of pounds of Pension Credit do not go unclaimed and that thousands of pensioners do not fall into poverty; and demands that the UK Government do everything in their power to promote pension credit uptake by emphasising the benefits of claiming pension credit through a campaign.