Martin Lewis made a fiery return to Good Morning Britain (GMB) for his first ‘Wallet Wednesday’ of the Autumn and pulled no punches as he challenged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on the UK Government’s Pension Credit take-up strategy. It’s an important issue for millions of people over State Pension age across the country as a successful claim for the means-tested benefit will also provide access to this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.
The consumer champion told ITV viewers how he and other campaigners, such as Age UK and Citizen’s Advice, have repeatedly called on the UK Government to reconsider the policy change which will see more than 10 million pensioners miss out on the annual heating bill help, which is worth between £100 and £300.
During a heated interview with Ms Nandy, which saw co-presenter Susanna Reid caution the financial guru for his language, Martin said under the current strategy it would take the UK Government four years to get 780,000 pensioners, who are entitled to Pension Credit but not claiming it, on to the benefit.
Ms Nandy explained how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has seen a massive uplift of 115 per cent in the number of new Pension Credit claims since the rule change was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the end of July, with an estimated 40,000 claims per month.
Martin said: “The poorest pensioners, the poorest on under £11,400 – you believe they should get Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments but they’re not going to claim. They’re the hardest to reach, you’re not writing individual letters to them, you’re not linking it to Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit.
“There’s lots you could do. So, to try and talk about ‘we’re targeting the poorest’ the truth is you’re not targeting the poorest. Why aren’t you writing them bloody letters?”
Susanna quickly jumped in urging Martin to “watch your language” however, it didn’t seem to phase Ms Nandy who immediately replied she understood “how strongly” he feels about it.
The Culture Secretary continued: “We’re working with the widest range of people to make sure that we do reach those people.”
Martin interrupted, challenging the logistics of reaching those pensioners, he said: “The truth is you have to accept you’re not going to reach them because these are the people that are hardest to reach. So how are you going to protect them?”
Ms Nandy replied: “In fairness, you just said to me ‘you’re not writing bloody letters’, well we are. I wanted to explain that because I don’t want people to think for a moment that we’re going to leave people high and dry.
“For that group of people, there’s never been a drive to get them on to Pension Credit and you’re right it is extremely challenging. You have people, for example, who have dementia or other reasons why they’ve not applied for Pension Credit, they need far more support to be able to navigate the system, that’s why we’re working with local councils all over the country.”
She went on to explain how the council in her constituency of Wigan is sending letters to everybody they think might be eligible for Pension Credit. Ms Nandy said they’re looking at people on the assisted bin collection lists and going door to door if these people do not respond to the letters.
She added: “We think it’s better to do that at community level rather than government level, but we will of course adjust that if it doesn’t work. So far though, the evidence is that it is.”
Martin once again challenged the minister’s response asking if all councils are doing this. He continued: “You’re taking an uplift of 115 per cent, you’ve gone from 20,000 a month claiming Pension Credit to 40,000, but there are 780,000 people.
“You would need at least an exponential rise in the number of people claiming Pension Credit for those prisoners to claim this year. We have to accept. You have to accept there will be many hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners under £11,400 income you will not reach this year.
“You are taking money out of their hands. Do you accept the truth, the reality is that’s what will practically happen? I’m saying it, Age UK are saying it, others are saying it. So let’s be honest, you’re willing to accept that collateral damage of hundreds of thousands of poorest pensioners, many with dementia, not getting the Winter Fuel Payment.”
Ms Nandy refused to accept his comments and replied: “No, I’m not willing to accept those comments and it’s one of the reasons why we’ve extended the Household Support Fund until next April.”
She explained the extension will enable pensioners who do not realise they no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, to contact their local council and seek financial help.
DWP confirmed last month all 12.7m State Pensioners across Great Britain will receive a letter mid-October explaining the change to Winter Fuel Payments and whether or not they are still eligible.
The Martin Lewis Money Show Live returns to ITV/STV on October 30, the day before the Labour Government delivers the Autumn Budget.