HC Deb 28 October 2003 vol 412 cc135-6W
8. Mr. Savidge

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the uptake of pension credit in Scotland. [133814]

10. Rosemary McKenna

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the take-up of pension credit in Scotland. [133816]

Mrs. McGuire

My right hon. Friend launched the Pension Credit in Scotland on 3 October. Around 201,000 pension credit awards have been made to pensioner households in Scotland, benefiting approximately 235,000 individuals.

We are making every endeavour to ensure that all those eligible for Pension Credit take up their entitlement.

9. Jim Sheridan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to promote pension credit uptake in Scotland. [133815]

Mrs. McGuire

My right hon. Friend launched the pension credit in Scotland on 3 October 2003.

The Pension Service will have written to every pensioner household by June 2004 to tell them about pension credit and help them decide whether to apply. To support this process, the Government are running a major TV and press advertising campaign.