Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCost of Living: PensionersI confirm to the noble Baroness and the whole House that the Chancellor and his team are cognisant of the issues that the most vulnerable are facing—those who cannot work and…26 May 2022HANSARDCost of Living: PensionersMy Lords, no assessment has been made. The Government are aware of concerns about the cost of living. My right honourable friend the Chancellor is making an announcement on this…26 May 2022HANSARDCost of Living: PensionersThe noble Lord understands that I cannot make that commitment. We understand that people are struggling—we really do—with rising prices of energy and other things. The Chancellor…26 May 2022HANSARDCost of Living: PensionersAs I said earlier, since 2010, the state pension has risen by £2,300 in cash terms and the full-year basic state pension is now over 45% higher than in 2010.26 May 2022HANSARDSocial Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill [HL]My Lords, hearing that your illness cannot be cured can be a frightening and devastating experience. It can help people at this stage of their life to talk to their GP, who can…24 May 2022HANSARDSocial Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill [HL]My Lords, I thank your Lordships for your contributions to the debate today. I am sure we all agree that this is a matter of huge importance for those at this stage of their life…24 May 2022HANSARDSocial Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill [HL]I thank the noble Baroness; that is helpful. Other questions were raised and I will, as always, go back to Hansard and ensure that I answer them in writing and place a copy in the…24 May 2022HANSARDSocial Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill [HL]That the Bill be now read a second time.24 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsThe noble Lord has made that point on many occasions and I admire his tenacity. We are doing what we can to make sure that the state benefit is there and that there is a benefit…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsThe noble Baroness’s question prompts me to go back and have a look at the application process. Perhaps I can come back to her on that. I am not sure that I can answer her other…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsI assure the noble Lord that all groups are being looked at, in terms of making sure that they get what they are entitled to. We have universal credit, which in its technical form…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsMy noble friend makes a very good point. We are also making sure that we promote it in doctors’ surgeries, day centres, post offices and the local press. If anybody has any ideas…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsI would like to think that all those people are being contacted, but let me go and check. I shall make sure that that gets fed into the system.23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsOn pension credit take-up, the noble Baroness has made interesting and accurate points. We have this campaign. The Minister for Pensions is working with the BBC, other media…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsThe Chancellor has already committed to restoring the triple lock. Before I came here, I double-checked this and I can say that, yes, the triple lock will be restored. On fuel…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsI reiterate what the Prime Minister has said: no option is off the table. We will do what we can but noble Lords will have to wait a little longer for those announcements to be…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsWhen the benefit uprating comes, based on the September figures for that year, the triple lock will be restored.23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsI will answer the last question first. The Prime Minister has been clear that we are working extremely closely on this and will continue to do so. We will do more; no option is…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsMy Lords, it is more important now than ever that we ensure that all eligible pensioners claim the vital financial help that pension credit provides. That is why we have been…23 May 2022HANSARDSenior Citizens: Means-tested BenefitsI thank the noble Baroness for that contribution and suggestion. As I said, it is important that we do everything we can. I cannot commit to a dedicated support service but, as I…23 May 2022