“It’s there for a reason”: Oldham Liberal Democrats step up campaign on unclaimed pension credit     

The Liberal Democrats have joined a growing list of charities including Independent Age and Age UK in calling on the new government to hold back on planned cuts to winter fuel payments and instead launch a campaign helping pensioners access unclaimed benefits.

Councillor Sykes said, “Across the country, take up of pension credit is as low as 63%.  In Oldham, an eye-watering £8.5 million is going unclaimed.  Oldham Council has a role to play in helping to raise awareness around unclaimed benefits.”

“I urge all pensioners in Oldham Borough to look again at what they are entitled to.  It’s there for a reason.”

The Liberal Democrat Leader has written to Oldham Council bosses calling on the council to launch its own awareness campaign about unclaimed benefits. 

In his letter to Labour Leader Arooj Shah, councillor Sykes said, “The council has a duty to help residents understand their entitlements and access support.  I am writing to ask your administration to launch a campaign to improve awareness, access and uptake of unclaimed pension credit in Oldham ahead of what will be a difficult winter for many of our elderly residents, made worse by the government decision to heavily limit winter fuel support.”    

Analysis of the chancellors winter fuel payment policy by Matin Lewis of Money Saving Expert
Martin Lewis: Winter Fuel Payment targeting ‘too narrow’ (moneysavingexpert.com)

Councillor Arooj Shah
Leader of the Council

Dear Councillor Shah,

I write with concern following the Chancellors decision to remove winter fuel support from an estimated 10 million pensioners nation-wide, choosing only to support those pensioners who are already in receipt of benefits.  In Oldham, a staggering 85% of pensioners stand to lose out as a result of this choice.  

Across the country, only 63% of those entitled receive pension credit.  According to Policy in Practice, as much as £8.5 million per year goes unclaimed. 

You will note that many charities including Age UK and Independent Age have criticised the Chancellor’s decision and called on her to pause until a meaningful national effort is made to increase the take up of pension credit.  Respected public figures like Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert have also stated that support under the Chancellor’s new policy will be too narrow; and too many people will miss out.  

Oldham Council has a duty to help residents understand their entitlements and access support.  I am writing to ask your administration to launch a campaign to improve awareness, access and uptake of unclaimed pension credit in Oldham ahead of what will be a difficult winter for many of our elderly residents, made worse by the government decision to heavily limit winter fuel support.

I look forward to your considered response.

Best wishes.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE