Mixed-age couples and Universal Credit

That this House expresses its concerns about the eligibility rules for pension credit and housing benefit for mixed-age couples on low incomes; notes that a mixed-age couple is made up of a pensioner and their partner below the state retirement age; understands that since 2019 pensioners in mixed-age couples have been unable to make a new claim for pension credit or housing benefit and are instead forced to make a claim for Universal Credit; recognises that Universal Credit is designed as a working-age benefit and represents, in the words of Age UK, a “substantial wealth cut” for this group which was previously able to claim for pension credit and housing benefit; regrets the increase in pension-age poverty during the cost of living crisis and the expected exacerbation of problems for pensioners during this winter when many will be forced to choose between heating and eating; acknowledges that the Government has estimated that in 2022/23 there will be 50,000 mixed-age couples unable to access pension credit or housing benefits, assistance which would go some way towards alleviating pensioner poverty; and urges the Government to reverse the changes made in 2019 to allow mixed-age couples access to means-tested benefits that suit their needs.