Nearly 1,500 Bath pensioners missing out on pension credit

7.42.00pm GMT Tue 8th Feb 2005

New figures from Bath's MP, Don Foster, show that there may be 1500* households in Bath who are missing out on the money to which they may be entitled under the government's new Pension Credit. This should guarantee everyone aged 60 or over an income of at least £105.45 for single pensioners and £160.95 a week for pensioner couples. But poor publicity and government complacency mean's that it's not getting to those who are eligible.

Commenting, Bath's MP, Don Foster, said:

"This is disgraceful!"

"These figures show that our worst fears are being realised - large numbers of Bath's vulnerable pensioners are set to miss out on the help they desperately need.

"The Labour Government should be ashamed that so many of this country's poorest pensioners are still living so far beneath the poverty line. Things have gone from bad to worse with the new Pension Credit.

"Despite the fact that we've got so many pensioners not receiving Pension Credit, the take-up has nearly ground to a halt in Bath, at around 3500 households. This has remained static for several months, and it's a picture that's reflected nationally.

"The Government should be doing far more to encourage Pensioners to claim the money they're entitled to.

"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."

"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."

In a word of advice to Bath's pensioners, Don said,

"This is your money! I urge anyone who may think they're entitled to Pension Credit to ring the Pension Credit application line on 0800 99 1234."