SNP MP Patricia Gibson (pictured) has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions calling on the UK government to urgently investigate and address ongoing delays in State Pension payments.
In a letter to Therese Coffey, the MP for North Ayrshire and Arran highlighted cases of constituents who have still to receive their pension payments over a month after reaching their State Pension age.
Pensioner poverty has recently risen to a 15-year high of 18%, meaning that around 2.1 million pensioners across the UK are now living in poverty – with the State Pension the most important source of income for many.
Commenting, Patricia Gibson MP said:
“It is deeply concerning that new pensioners are facing unacceptable delays in vital support from the Department for Work and Pensions, particularly as pensioner poverty continues to rise under this Westminster Tory government.
“It is particularly upsetting for those WASPI women who, after being forced to wait six years to get the pension to which they are entitled, finally reach the new State Pension age, only to find that poor service from the DWP has left them in limbo as they face unacceptable delays to receiving their rightful pension payments upon which they rely.
“Despite raising these issues on behalf of individuals, I have found the DWP uncooperative and lax in addressing these serious concerns.
“The UK government must urgently investigate the delays experienced by new pensioners and take all necessary action to ensure that State Pension payments are made in a timeous manner.”
