Stuart Anderson MP is greatly concerned that the take-up rate for Pension Credit has fallen over the last year after eligibility was severely restricted.
The situation means that millions of potentially eligible pensioners lost out on winter fuel payments last year, after eligibility was linked to Pension Credit.
Stuart strongly opposed the decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments from those not in receipt of Pension Credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit in July 2024 shortly after the government came to office.
The changes saw more than ten million pensioners lose out on winter fuel payments last year. It also plunged 50,000 pensioners into poverty last winter.
After fierce opposition, a climbdown was announced in June 2025. All older people will receive the payment but those with an income of more than £35,000 will have to return the cash.
However, even the watered-down policy will still see more than two million pensioners miss out on winter fuel payments, which is worth up to £300.
At the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 26th November 2025, the Chancellor also froze the income threshold until at least 2029 - rather than increasing it in line with inflation.
This means that an extra 200,000 pensioners are to set to lose winter fuel payments this year. Each year, more pensioners will be caught up in the "means-testing trap" due to the annual rise in State Pension.
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 62% of those entitled to Pension Credit received the benefit in 2024.
This has fallen by three per cent compared to last year, when the take-up rate stood at 65%. This means that only six out of ten people entitled to the payment have signed up to claim it.
In South Shropshire, just over half of those who are entitled to Pension Credit received it last year. Stuart has now renewed his campaign to promote Pension Credit in South Shropshire.
It comes as the latest statistics show that there were 12,940 outstanding Pension Credit claims still to be processed at the end of week commencing 17 November 2025 in Great Britain.
In a letter to Pensions Minister Torsten Bell MP, Stuart said that the application process should be further simplified and support should be given so that the take up rate increases.
Stuart is promoting the support available as part of his Energy Saver’s Campaign, which aims to help residents save money on their energy bills.
Pension Credit unlocks support worth up to £4,300. It not only tops up retirement income, but opens the door to a range of other support - including help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Last year, I launched my Energy Saver's Guide to help residents save money on their energy bills. This includes Pension Credit, which unlocks a range of other support including help with heating costs. I am greatly concerned that the take up rate has fallen over the last year. In South Shropshire, just over half of those who are eligible received it. I strongly opposed last year's restrictions which saw more than ten million pensioners lose out on this vital support. After fierce opposition, a climbdown was announced. However, even the watered-down policy means more than two million pensioners could still miss out. Now, the Chancellor has frozen the threshold until at least 2029. This means that more pensioners will lose their entitlement every single year under this government. I believe that the government must do the right thing and reverse these terrible changes."
