Member

For the first time, we are writing directly to all pensioners on housing benefit who we think could be entitled. The noble Baroness, Lady Stedman-Scott, thinks she did it; her Government tried it out with 10 local authorities, and it worked. We are going to do it for everybody now and make sure they find out what is going on out there. We will merge the administration of housing benefit and pension credit as soon as operationally possible—something repeatedly delayed, she will acknowledge, by the last Government. It will mean that pensioners who get housing benefit will also get the pension credit they are entitled to. There is going to be a big media campaign, in print and broadcast, which, as well as trying to reach pensioners, will urge people to reach out to retired family, friends and neighbours to get them to check if they are eligible. That work will carry on right up to the deadline of December 21 for people to claim the winter fuel allowance.