Written question asked by Lord Trimble (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment has been made of pension credit take-up levels in Northern Ireland; and what policies are in place to increase that rate.

Answer: Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of pension credit take-up levels in Northern Ireland; and what policies are in place to increase that rate. [224066] Mr. Spellar: No estimate has been made of the number of pensioners who might be entitled to state pension credit. A target has been set of promoting take-up of 98,500 by March 2006 and 104,000 by March 2008. By February 2005, 91,782 pensioner households were in receipt of pension credit.

Secondary information