Call for Evidence

This inquiry on Pensioner poverty: challenges and mitigations will examine the questions below.

• What is the state of pensioner poverty across the UK? Which groups are most likely to be affected?  
• How does poverty impact on groups across the lifespan?
• Are there international comparisons we could learn from?
• To what extent does the current State Pension and other pension age benefits prevent pensioner poverty?
• What essentials should the State Pension and other pension age benefits provide?
• How do pensioners in poverty manage food, energy and housing costs with the income they have?
• What impact does the cost of living have on the health of pensioners in poverty? What impact does this have on the NHS and social care?
• What measures to offset the impact of the cost of living on pensioners are most effective? How do these vary in the devolved nations? 
• How effective are discretionary payments such as the Household Support Fund? How can support be more effectively targeted at pensioners in poverty?
• What is needed to improve access and take up of Pension Credit and other social security support for pensioners in poverty?
• Are there sufficient data to enable efficient targeting of support? Are there delivery mechanisms that allow effective targeting?