HC Deb 29 January 1996 vol 270 c585W
Sir Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken and plans to take to improve income support and housing benefit take-up by pensioners. [10208]

Mr. Roger Evans

The Government's role is to ensure that help is there for those who need it and that people are in a position to make informed choices on whether to claim benefit. To this end, the Department is involved in a wide range of national and local initiatives to ensure that accurate and accessible information is available. These are often undertaken in conjunction with local interest and advice groups.

Further, local authorities have a statutory duty to publicise housing benefit.