Sykes welcomes government pensions credit campaign but calls on Oldham Council to act  

Leader of Oldham Liberal Democrats councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the government’s decision to launch a campaign to encourage pensioners to apply for universal credit. 

Labour Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner are to launch a campaign to encourage pensioners to apply for Pension Credit.  The move comes after substantial push back against the new Labour government’s plans to scrap winter fuel payments from those pensioners not in receipt of pension credit.  The announcement was met with heavy criticism by the Liberal Democrats, as well as charities like Age UK and Independent Age.

Councillor Sykes said, “I welcome the government’s decision to launch a campaign to improve the uptake of pension credit.  It’s wrong to look at axing winter fuel payments before making sure that those who should be on pension credit are accessing support.”

According to ‘Policy in Practice’ research, a staggering £8.5 million in pension credit went unclaimed last year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “All eyes are now on Oldham Council.  I wrote to the council leader last week (13 Aug) calling on Oldham to launch its own awareness campaign to support pensioners across our communities.  Oldham Council needs to act quickly, but to date, I have had no response.”

Letter from Councillor Sykes to Leader of Oldham Council Arooj Shah (Sent 13 Aug)

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