PENSION CREDIT TAKE UP GRINDING TO A HALT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Feb 2005

Cllr Greg Mulholland, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Leeds North West, has discovered that there are likely to be in the region of 1,234 households in Leeds North West constituency eligible for the new Pension Credit but not receiving it.

According to the Government's own figures that have just been released, only 70% of people entitled to this money are currently claiming it.

Cllr Mulholland says that this shows that the Pensions Credit scheme is not working, as well as pensioners having to undergo humiliating means testing to qualify for the extra cash.

He comments, "The Labour Government should be ashamed that so many of this country's poorest pensioners are still living so far beneath the poverty line. Things have gone from bad to worse with the new Pension Credit."

"These figures show that our worst fears are being realised - large numbers of vulnerable pensioners are set to miss out on the help they desperately need."

"The only guaranteed way to ensure that pensioners have dignity and security in old age is through a decent state pension, payable as of right."

"That is why Liberal Democrats would guarantee £100 a month more on the pension at 75, over £130 a month for couples over 75, lifting a million pensioners out of means-testing at a stroke."