Seven-year anniversary of the mixed-aged couples’ rule

This House notes the seven-year anniversary of the introduction of the mixed-aged couples' rule, which prohibits mixed-age couples from accessing pension-age benefits, such as Pension Credit, until both are over State Pension age; is troubled by the 70,000 people impacted by this rule, who on average could be missing out on £6,000 a year of support that they would otherwise be entitled to if not for their partners age; is concerned by the number of older people who have no choice but to rely on Universal Credit as a result of this rule, which is not designed to meet the needs of those above State Pension age; feels that this issue is pressing given the rise in State Pension age from 66 to 67 between 2026-28, meaning that couples will be waiting longer to claim Pension Credit; and strongly urges the Government to review the rule, fully explore how many households are at serious risk of poverty if the rule was to remain in place and publish a report on their findings.