Written questions by Maskell.

With reference to paragraph 43 of Her Majesty's Treasury's policy document entitled, Fixing the foundations public spending audit 2024-2025, published on 29 July 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the Winter Fuel Payment from people living in areas with a high cost of living.

Ministers took account of the equality impacts in reaching their decision to link Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit and other qualifying income-related benefits in England and Wales from winter 2024-25. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. But it remains committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners.We are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.We know there are pensioner households which aren’t claiming the Pension Credit they are entitled to, and we will work with external partners and local authorities to encourage people to make a claim.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to the eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment on levels of equality.

This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80. In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Department had regard to the equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements.

How many and what proportion of pensioners don't receive Pension Credit; and if she will make an estimate of the number of those pensioners living in (i) relative and (ii) absolute poverty.

According to the latest data available, for the financial year 2022/23, 10.7 million pensioners in Great Britain live in a household which is not in receipt of Pension Credit. That is 91% of all pensioners. 1.6 million of these are in relative poverty, and 1.2 million in absolute poverty, after housing costs. This represents 15% and 11% respectively of the relevant populations. The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply. Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.

With reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's oral statement on 29 July 2024, Official Report, column 1038 on Public spending: inheritance, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the number of people who will be able to claim winter fuel payments on the ability of people in who are (a) in receipt of a State Pension and (b) not in receipt of pension credits to pay their energy bills.

Ministers took account of the equality impacts in reaching their decision to link Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit and other qualifying income-related benefits in England and Wales from winter 2024-25. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. But it remains committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners.We are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.We know there are pensioner households which aren’t claiming the Pension Credit they are entitled to, and we will work with external partners and local authorities to encourage people to make a claim.

With reference to paragraph 43 of her Majesty's Treasury's policy document entitled, Fixing the foundations public spending audit 2024-2025, published on 29 July 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential geographical impact of removing the Winter Fuel Payment from some recipients.

Ministers took account of the equality impacts in reaching their decision to link Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit and other qualifying income-related benefits in England and Wales from winter 2024-25. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. But it remains committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners.We are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.We know there are pensioner households which aren’t claiming the Pension Credit they are entitled to, and we will work with external partners and local authorities to encourage people to make a claim.

With reference to paragraph 43 of her Majesty's Treasury's policy document entitled, Fixing the foundations public spending audit 2024-2025, published on 29 July 2024, what discussions she held with stakeholders on the Government's policy of ending the Winter Fuel Allowance for some recipients.

This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. The Department met with Age UK, the Local Government Association and Citizens Advice, prior to the Chancellor’s statement which included the Winter Fuel Payment announcement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive a Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. The Government will work with external partners and local authorities to boost the uptake of Pension Credit and to target additional support to the poorest pensioners.

What estimate she has made of the number of households that are impacted by the two child benefit cap and the ending of their Winter Fuel Allowance.

The two-child limit does not apply in Pension Credit No estimate has been made of the number of households that are impacted by the policy to support a maximum of two children and the ending of their Winter Fuel Payment. This government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. There are other pensioners who are eligible for Winter fuel payment as they claim other means tested benefits.

What discussions she has had with elderly medical care specialists on the potential impact of stopping winter fuel payments on the health needs of the elderly.

This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Allowance alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. As part of the Pension Credit Week of Action, we joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.Over the next five years, we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners.We are also providing support through our Warm Homes Plan which pensioners will benefit from. This will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.Our other steps include cutting waiting times in the NHS which will help many pensioners currently waiting in pain and discomfort for treatment, and delivering the economic stability which is so crucial for pensioners.

Whether she is taking steps to work with foodbanks to help ensure that healthy options are available for people from low income households.

We are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We are introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school to ensure children are fed a nutritious breakfast and are ready to learn and have created a new Ministerial Taskforce to drive cross-government action on child poverty.

If she will make it her policy to extend the Housing Support Fund.

£500 million is being provided to enable the current Household Support Fund, including funding for Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means Local Authorities in England are receiving £421 million to support those in need locally. The current Household Support Fund will be in place until 30 September 2024. As a new government, we are reviewing all policies, including the Household Support Fund.

Whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to assess the adequacy of the supply of food for people in poverty in summer 2024; and whether she has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential implications for the Government's policies of trends in the level of supply of emergency food for people dependant on that provision.

We are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We are introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school to ensure children are fed a nutritious breakfast and are ready to learn and have created a new Ministerial Taskforce to drive cross-government action on child poverty. We are also supporting people with the cost of essentials such as food and energy through the Household Support Fund. This scheme is run by Upper Tier Local Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need. Currently, £500m is being provided to enable the extension of the Fund, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. Local Authorities in England are receiving £421m to support those in need locally. As a new government, we are keeping all policies under review, including the Household Support Fund.

If she will publish the (a) terms of reference for the taskforce on child poverty and (b) planned timescale for publishing the outcomes of that taskforce's work.

The new Ministerial Taskforce will drive cross-government action on child poverty, starting with overseeing the development of our ambitious new strategy in line with the Opportunity Mission. After initial engagement, the formal work to develop the new child poverty strategy will begin and we will publish a Full Terms of Reference in the coming weeks. Recognising the wide-ranging causes of child poverty, we will explore how we can use all the available levers we have across government and wider society to drive forward the change our children need. Alongside this we will be reviewing Universal Credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.

Whether she plans for the taskforce on child poverty to make an assessment of the potential impact of ending the (a) the two-child benefit limit and (b) under-occupancy charge on levels of child poverty.

The new Ministerial Taskforce will drive cross-government action on child poverty, starting with overseeing the development of our ambitious new strategy in line with the Opportunity Mission. After initial engagement, the formal work to develop the new child poverty strategy will begin and we will publish a Full Terms of Reference in the coming weeks. Recognising the wide-ranging causes of child poverty, we will explore how we can use all the available levers we have across government and wider society to drive forward the change our children need. Alongside this we will be reviewing Universal Credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.