Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S6W-40180

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that an estimated 27% of state pension age people in Glasgow are not aware of Pension Credit and an estimated £30,263,573 goes unclaimed annually by 13,377 pensioners, what measures it can take to communicate directly with state pension age people to encourage maximum uptake of all relevant social security benefits they are entitled to.

The DWP is ultimately responsible for increasing take-up of Pension Credit. Despite this, through our Benefit Take-Up Strategy, of which there is no UK Government equivalent, we continue to tackle barriers to take-up and explore opportunities to raise awareness of this payment to people in Scotland. For example, Social Security Scotland have shared content on Pension Credit, via social media, and information is included in posts where entitlement is relevant to a devolved payment.

When promoting devolved entitlements, like Pension Age Disability Payment, we have engaged with older disabled people in communities to raise awareness of this benefit. In addition, most people will not need to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter, as most payments will be made automatically, ensuring take-up remains high.

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Question reference: S6W-40180

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