Recommendations & Conclusions
9 items
6
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
The Government says it is taking a cross-department approach to address the challenges faced by older people. We were interested in arguments that it would help to have a strategy where the Government set out its objectives for older people and the mechanisms to ensure that those priorities are reflected …
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The Government says it is taking a cross-department approach to address the challenges faced by older people. We were interested in arguments that it would help to have a strategy where the Government set out its objectives for older people and the mechanisms to ensure that those priorities are reflected in policy across government departments. As an example, the Government wants to take a more preventative model to ill health. However, it is hard to see how the removal of Winter Fuel Payments with little notice from most pensioners in winter 2024/25, aligned with this. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to support older people and address poverty, but does not address the committee's specific observation about the helpfulness of a dedicated strategy for older people or the criticism regarding Winter Fuel Payments.
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Department for Work and Pensions
7
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
In addition, a preventative approach requires a cross-sector approach, with stakeholders across a range of policy areas pulling together in the same direction. We were impressed by the work in areas like Greater Manchester where local authorities are collaborating with third sector and community organisations to provide integrated support for …
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In addition, a preventative approach requires a cross-sector approach, with stakeholders across a range of policy areas pulling together in the same direction. We were impressed by the work in areas like Greater Manchester where local authorities are collaborating with third sector and community organisations to provide integrated support for pensioners, in spheres such as housing, health, community support and benefit take-up. However, the lack of framework to hold local government to account for this work and lack of central government strategy for an ageing society is holding back progress. Wales’s national ageing strategy has given older people, organisations and their funders confidence that the Welsh Government has a commitment to improve the lives of older people long-term. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to support older people and address poverty, but does not address the identified lack of a framework for local government accountability or a central government strategy for an ageing society, which the conclusion highlights as barriers.
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Department for Work and Pensions
8
Recommendation
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
The Government should commit to a cross-government strategy for an ageing society, with equity of health and well-being for older people at its centre. This strategy should set out how cross-sector working is to be achieved, with effective mechanisms for holding the different parties involved to account. (Recommendation, Paragraph 50) …
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The Government should commit to a cross-government strategy for an ageing society, with equity of health and well-being for older people at its centre. This strategy should set out how cross-sector working is to be achieved, with effective mechanisms for holding the different parties involved to account. (Recommendation, Paragraph 50) 82
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Government response AI summary
The government describes various existing initiatives to support older people, such as increases to the National Living Wage, the Triple Lock, and housing programs, but does not commit to developing a cross-government strategy for an ageing society as recommended.
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Department for Work and Pensions
11
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
For winter 2024/25, the Government linked eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to receipt of Pension Credit. This removed the payment from many who needed it and set the bar for continued payment too low. Up to 760,000 pensioner households do not claim Pension Credit that they are entitled to, …
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For winter 2024/25, the Government linked eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to receipt of Pension Credit. This removed the payment from many who needed it and set the bar for continued payment too low. Up to 760,000 pensioner households do not claim Pension Credit that they are entitled to, and many just above the Pension Credit threshold, for whom this was an addition to the list of passported benefits they miss out on, felt the impact was unfair. We welcome the Government’s decision to make payments automatically to all pensioners in winter 2025/26, recovering it via HMRC from people with incomes of over £35,000. This will mean the payment gets to those who need it. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's comments but responds by outlining its statutory duties regarding equality, steps to strengthen analysis, and its ongoing work on safeguarding from a separate report, without addressing the specific observations about Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
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Department for Work and Pensions
12
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
Our predecessor Committee is amongst those that have criticised Winter Fuel Payments for being poorly targeted and a ‘blunt instrument’ for tackling fuel poverty. As a universal payment, WFP went to pensioners who did not need it, and its real terms value has dwindled over two decades since it was …
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Our predecessor Committee is amongst those that have criticised Winter Fuel Payments for being poorly targeted and a ‘blunt instrument’ for tackling fuel poverty. As a universal payment, WFP went to pensioners who did not need it, and its real terms value has dwindled over two decades since it was introduced. However, we heard very clearly that pensioners valued it, had come to rely on it and that it gave them “confidence to turn the heating on.” The change in eligibility was announced in July, giving limited time for older people and organisations working with them to prepare for the coming winter, and followed years of high energy prices. Whatever the merits of the change, it created uncertainty and anxiety for pensioners about how they would manage. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's comments but responds by outlining its statutory duties regarding equality, steps to strengthen analysis, and its ongoing work on safeguarding from a separate report, without addressing the specific observations about Winter Fuel Payments.
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Department for Work and Pensions
13
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
The Government conducted a very limited high-level equality analysis of WFP reform, estimating the impact on the number of pensioners in poverty. We heard repeatedly about the possible impacts on their health, as well. While this may be difficult to quantify, a fuller impact assessment, 83 considering the cumulative impact …
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The Government conducted a very limited high-level equality analysis of WFP reform, estimating the impact on the number of pensioners in poverty. We heard repeatedly about the possible impacts on their health, as well. While this may be difficult to quantify, a fuller impact assessment, 83 considering the cumulative impact and broader impact of policies and the views of pensioners, might have contributed to a different policy change or more effective plans for implementation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 88)
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's comments about limited WFP equality analysis and states its Chief Analyst is strengthening general analysis, but primarily discusses safeguarding policies and reviews from a separate context, not directly addressing the call for a fuller WFP impact assessment.
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Department for Work and Pensions
24
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
Effective take-up work requires, firstly, face to face support and encouragement from trusted individuals and organisations on the ground. The complexity of the benefits system means that expert welfare rights advice is often also needed. In some areas, local authorities, third sector and community organisations work together effectively to do …
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Effective take-up work requires, firstly, face to face support and encouragement from trusted individuals and organisations on the ground. The complexity of the benefits system means that expert welfare rights advice is often also needed. In some areas, local authorities, third sector and community organisations work together effectively to do this. The 85 rewards are significant—increasing the incomes of the poorest pensioners, bringing money into the local economy and reducing demand on health and social care services. However, not all local authorities co-ordinate action to support benefit take-up, often as a result of resourcing challenges. These tend to be the same local authorities who would benefit most from planned engagement activities. (Conclusion, Paragraph 131)
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Government response AI summary
The government response describes its existing internal resource plans for timely claim processing and ongoing strategies for place-based promotion and supportive communications. However, it does not directly address the committee's observations regarding varying local authority coordination or the need for external expert welfare rights advice.
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Department for Work and Pensions
29
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
Not Addressed
DWP should report back by the end of 2025 on progress in addressing the barriers to data sharing identified by the Minister, particularly in relation to enabling DWP to give local authorities more visibility of Pension Credit and Universal Credit data; and on sharing of HMRC data. (Recommendation, Paragraph 142) …
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DWP should report back by the end of 2025 on progress in addressing the barriers to data sharing identified by the Minister, particularly in relation to enabling DWP to give local authorities more visibility of Pension Credit and Universal Credit data; and on sharing of HMRC data. (Recommendation, Paragraph 142) State Pension adequacy
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Government response AI summary
The government's response details existing extensive data sharing arrangements with local authorities and discusses the benefits of simplifying data sharing legislation, but does not commit to reporting back on progress in addressing specific barriers or increasing visibility of Pension Credit and Universal Credit data by …
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Department for Work and Pensions
43
Conclusion
2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challen…
We recognise that many 1950s women are deeply disappointed by the Government’s refusal to pay compensation following the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration. The decision has been legally challenged and we await the outcome of that process. (Conclusion, Paragraph 201) 89
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We recognise that many 1950s women are deeply disappointed by the Government’s refusal to pay compensation following the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration. The decision has been legally challenged and we await the outcome of that process. (Conclusion, Paragraph 201) 89
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Department for Work and Pensions