'Unacceptable!' One in five pension credit claims not processed within target timeframe

One in five pension credit claims are not processed within the target timeframe, figures show.

Some 22.3% of more than 250,000 claims in the last financial year were not cleared within 50 working days, according to the latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The figures are from before a recent increase in take-up of the benefit prompted by Labour's winter fuel payment cuts.

Tory MP Dr Luke Evans, who raised the issue in a written parliamentary question, said: "The fact that one in five pension credit applicants are still waiting more than 50 working days to hear if they'll get the support they need is simply unacceptable - and according to the Government that is before the 150% increase in the number of applications.

"With energy bills rising and winter fast approaching, pensioners can't afford to be left in limbo.

"The Government's rushed restrictions to the winter fuel payment have only added to the pressure.

"We need urgent action to ensure that every eligible pensioner receives the help they're entitled to. No one should be left struggling to stay warm this winter."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves sparked a furious backlash in July when she unveiled plans to limit previously universal winter fuel payments to only those claiming pension credit.

Figures released in September showed a 152% rise in pension credit claims in the weeks after the restrictions were announced.

Ms Reeves blamed the axe on a £22billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied.

The controversial change is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 allowance by 10million, from 11.4million to 1.5million.

A group of charities and campaign groups today handed in petitions against winter fuel payment cuts, with more than 500,000 signatures to the Treasury and Downing Street.

A DWP spokesman said: "Our current pension credit campaign has boosted applications by 152% and we are deploying over 500 extra staff to process an expected increase in claims.

"We continue to urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to check now, as all eligible claims can be backdated, and anyone who makes a successful claim will receive their payment."

Labour has said all along pensioners in need will still receive the winter fuel payment because more can sign up to pension credit. But now we know that can't be true.

The Government aren't processing one in five claims within 50 working days, and that's before the expected surge in applications for this winter.

That means some pensioners will suffer the uncertainty of waiting 10 weeks to find out whether they qualify for the vital payments cut in a hurry by Labour.

The minister has let slip what we knew all along: pensioners eligible for pension credit will fall through the cracks this winter.

This heartless policy has been rushed through with no warning, not giving vulnerable pensioners time to prepare for a perilous winter.

Retirees in need of support will have to make the impossible choice between heating and eating.

On this basis, Labour Party research which suggested 4,000 pensioners would die as a result of this policy may be an underestimate.

Besides the obvious cruelty of this policy, for which Labour still haven't produced an impact assessment, it will create extra pressures on our NHS, social care and other essential public services.

The basic unfairness of Labour ripping winter fuel payment from pensioners on roughly £11,500 whilst handing billions to his union paymasters could not be clearer.

When Labour was courting the votes of retirees in the General Election, there were allegedly 'no plans' to change benefits for pensioners. But like many promises they made this is one that has been broken extraordinarily quickly.

Express readers know that supporting vulnerable pensioners who have worked hard all their lives is the right thing to do.

Sadly, Labour have quickly turned back on 14 years of improving living standards for pensioners made under the Conservatives. Something that should never be forgotten.