Pensioners in Rutherglen and Hamilton West are missing out on more than £8.7 million a year in unclaimed Pension Credit, a leading charity has revealed.

Independent Age estimates that while 3,970 households in the constituency are receiving pension credit, a further 3,142 are entitled to the benefit but are not claiming it.

The average weekly payment in Rutherglen and Hamilton West is £53.84.

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

Ged Killen MP said:

“It is shocking that over 3,000 pensioners in Rutherglen and Hamilton West are missing out on more than £8.7 million in vital support each year.

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

“This is a benefit that has been designed to lift older people out of poverty, but in 10 years the Government hasn’t managed to increase its uptake beyond 63 per cent.”

Further information on the findings from Independent Age can be found at -https://www.independentage.org/pension-credit-report-annex