The consumer champion challenged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on the UK Government’s Pension Credit take-up strategy. Martin Lewis made a fiery return to Good Morning Britain (GMB) for his first ‘Wallet Wednesday’ of the Autumn and pulled no punches as he challenged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on the UK Government’s Pension Credit take-up strategy. It’s an important issue for millions of people over State Pension age across the country as a successful claim for the means-tested benefit will also provide access to this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.
The consumer champion told ITV viewers how he and other campaigners, such as Age UK and Citizen’s Advice, have repeatedly called on the UK Government to reconsider the policy change which will see more than 10 million pensioners miss out on the annual heating bill help, which is worth between £100 and £300. During a heated interview with Ms Nandy, which saw co-presenter Susanna Reid caution the financial guru for his language, Martin said under the current strategy it would take the UK Government four years to get 780,000 pensioners, who are entitled to Pension Credit but not claiming it, on to the benefit. Ms Nandy explained how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has seen a massive uplift of 115 per cent in the number of new Pension Credit claims since the rule change was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the end of July, with an estimated 40,000 claims per month.
Martin said: “The poorest pensioners.