Poverty

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 13 December 2022.

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Photo of Natasha Asghar Natasha Asghar Conservative 2:10, 13 December 2022

First Minister, firstly, happy four-year anniversary, and I'd like to also ask: it's estimated that up to 80,000 people are actually poorer pensioners in Wales and missing out on pension credit, which is worth up to £65 a week on average, compared to those who claim, and that over £200 million goes unclaimed each year. In south-east Wales, nearly 17,500 people already claim pension credit, but it's estimated that around a quarter of people who could claim the extra help do not do so. Research has shown that many people don't claim because they don't think they're either eligible, as well as being reluctant to do so because of the embarrassment and stigma that's associated with it. The UK Conservative Government has launched a new campaign to boost the take-up of pension credit, as part of their package of measures to support people with the cost of living. So, First Minister, will you join me in welcoming this campaign by the UK Conservative Government? And what action are you taking, alongside the Ministers here, to make older people in Wales aware of their rights to claim this extra support to which they may be entitled, specifically those whose first language is not either English or Welsh? Thank you.