Pensioners in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute are missing out on more than £7 million and £5 million respectively in unclaimed pension credit, a leading charity has revealed.

Independent Age estimate that £7,760,000 in person credit is going unclaimed in West Dunbartonshire, and £5,911,000 in Argyll and Bute, amid the Tory government doing virtually nothing to ensure pensioners get the help that they need.

Across Scotland more than £300million is going unclaimed by 123,000 households.

Jackie said:

“The last Labour Government cut pensioner poverty, but the Tories have disgracefully allowed it to go up on their watch.

“It is shocking that West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute’s poorest pensioners are missing out on more than £12million combined in vital support.

“The Tories’ idea for encouraging people to apply for Pension Credit – an ‘online toolkit’ – would be laughable if this wasn’t so serious.

“Across the UK the poorest pensioners have missed out on £7 billion of Pension Credit since the last election, which means vulnerable people are being left without much-needed income. The Tories must right this wrong immediately and do more to increase take-up of Pension Credit.”