PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Work and Pensions - 8 October 2024 (Commons/Written Corrections)

Does the Minister agree that the problem is that wherever we draw the line, there will always be those just above who end up being poorer because they do not gain the benefit and do not get the passported access that gaining the benefit gives? Those individuals end up being worse off than the people who do claim. That is one of the problems with the means-tested system.

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. For those just above the threshold, we have extended the household support fund. I urge hon. Members to work with me, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Deputy Prime Minister, who have written to local authorities to encourage them to ensure that those just above the threshold who are struggling get the support they need with bills.

[Official Report, 10 September 2024; Vol. 753, c. 243WH.]

Written correction submitted by the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Wycombe (Emma Reynolds):

…I urge hon. Members to work with me, and with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Deputy Prime Minister, who have written to local authorities on the issue.

We will write to all pensioners about housing benefit; this is a question that one of my hon. Friends asked me yesterday. He had a constituent on housing benefit who was concerned that that would be taken into account as a form of income when the Government looked at his eligibility for pension credit. I confirm that that is not the case: housing benefit is not taken into account with regard to income.

[Official Report, 10 September 2024; Vol. 753, c. 244WH.]

Written correction submitted by the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:

We will write to all pensioners on housing benefit who may be eligible for, but are not claiming, pension credit; this is a question that one of my hon. Friends asked me yesterday.