2nd Report - Pensioner Poverty: challenges and mitigations

Select Committee
Work and Pensions Committee HC 465 24 July 2025
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 43 items (12 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 42 of 43 classified)
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 7
Not Addressed 8
Rejected 6
Government response
5th Special Report - Pensioner Poverty: challenges and mitigations: Government Response · published 10 Nov 2025
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Recommendations & Conclusions

9 results
6 Conclusion Not Addressed
Government lacks consistent cross-departmental strategy for older people, conflicting with preventative health goals
Conclusion
The Government says it is taking a cross-department approach to address the challenges faced by older people. We were interested in arguments that it would help to have a strategy where the Government set out its objectives for older people … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to support older people and address poverty, but does not address the committee's specific observation about the helpfulness of a dedicated strategy for older people or the criticism regarding Winter Fuel Payments.
Department for Work and Pensions
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7 Conclusion Not Addressed
Lack of central strategy hinders local cross-sector progress for pensioners' preventative support
Conclusion
In addition, a preventative approach requires a cross-sector approach, with stakeholders across a range of policy areas pulling together in the same direction. We were impressed by the work in areas like Greater Manchester where local authorities are collaborating with … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to support older people and address poverty, but does not address the identified lack of a framework for local government accountability or a central government strategy for an ageing society, which the conclusion highlights as barriers.
Department for Work and Pensions
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
Commit to a cross-government strategy for an ageing society with clear accountability mechanisms
Recommendation
The Government should commit to a cross-government strategy for an ageing society, with equity of health and well-being for older people at its centre. This strategy should set out how cross-sector working is to be achieved, with effective mechanisms for … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government describes various existing initiatives to support older people, such as increases to the National Living Wage, the Triple Lock, and housing programs, but does not commit to developing a cross-government strategy for an ageing society as recommended.
Department for Work and Pensions
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11 Conclusion Not Addressed
2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment eligibility poorly targeted, while 2025/26 reforms are welcomed
Conclusion
For winter 2024/25, the Government linked eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to receipt of Pension Credit. This removed the payment from many who needed it and set the bar for continued payment too low. Up to 760,000 pensioner households … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government notes the committee's comments but responds by outlining its statutory duties regarding equality, steps to strengthen analysis, and its ongoing work on safeguarding from a separate report, without addressing the specific observations about Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.
Department for Work and Pensions
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12 Conclusion Not Addressed
Winter Fuel Payment changes created significant uncertainty and anxiety among older pensioners
Conclusion
Our predecessor Committee is amongst those that have criticised Winter Fuel Payments for being poorly targeted and a ‘blunt instrument’ for tackling fuel poverty. As a universal payment, WFP went to pensioners who did not need it, and its real … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government notes the committee's comments but responds by outlining its statutory duties regarding equality, steps to strengthen analysis, and its ongoing work on safeguarding from a separate report, without addressing the specific observations about Winter Fuel Payments.
Department for Work and Pensions
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13 Conclusion Not Addressed
Limited equality analysis of Winter Fuel Payment reform failed to assess broader health impacts
Conclusion
The Government conducted a very limited high-level equality analysis of WFP reform, estimating the impact on the number of pensioners in poverty. We heard repeatedly about the possible impacts on their health, as well. While this may be difficult to … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government notes the committee's comments about limited WFP equality analysis and states its Chief Analyst is strengthening general analysis, but primarily discusses safeguarding policies and reviews from a separate context, not directly addressing the call for a fuller WFP impact assessment.
Department for Work and Pensions
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24 Conclusion Not Addressed
Many local authorities lack resources to coordinate effective benefits take-up support.
Conclusion
Effective take-up work requires, firstly, face to face support and encouragement from trusted individuals and organisations on the ground. The complexity of the benefits system means that expert welfare rights advice is often also needed. In some areas, local authorities, … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government response describes its existing internal resource plans for timely claim processing and ongoing strategies for place-based promotion and supportive communications. However, it does not directly address the committee's observations regarding varying local authority coordination or the need for external expert welfare rights advice.
Department for Work and Pensions
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29 Conclusion Not Addressed
Report progress addressing data sharing barriers for local authorities accessing benefit data by 2025.
Conclusion
DWP should report back by the end of 2025 on progress in addressing the barriers to data sharing identified by the Minister, particularly in relation to enabling DWP to give local authorities more visibility of Pension Credit and Universal Credit … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response details existing extensive data sharing arrangements with local authorities and discusses the benefits of simplifying data sharing legislation, but does not commit to reporting back on progress in addressing specific barriers or increasing visibility of Pension Credit and Universal Credit data by end of 2025.
Department for Work and Pensions
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43 Conclusion
Government's refusal to compensate 1950s women for maladministration causes continued deep disappointment.
Conclusion
We recognise that many 1950s women are deeply disappointed by the Government’s refusal to pay compensation following the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration. The decision has been legally challenged and we await the outcome of that process. … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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