Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Monday, 15 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pension Credit

Question: The Minister will know that pensioners can boost their incomes by paying voluntary class 3 contributions and that the special scheme for women born between April 1938 and October 1944 expires on 5 April. With the deadline coming, there has been a surge of applications. Can she offer me the assurance either today in the House or in writing urgently that people who contact Newcastle to get the detailed and complex information that they need to make the right judgment will be able to pay the money after 6 April, provided they make contact by the deadline?

Answer: I am happy to say that if we have proof of the contact in a timely fashion, we will be able to ensure that the process goes ahead.

Secondary information