Brian Cox leads new marketing campaign to encourage pension credit score signal ups | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Succession star Brian Cox is fronting a brand new marketing campaign urging older individuals to verify they’ve utilized for pension credit score forward of this winter.

Mr Cox has joined forces with the group Independent Age to spotlight the significance of making use of for the profit, forward of tens of millions set to lose their Winter Fuel Allowance this 12 months.

Mr Cox’s involvement within the marketing campaign comes after he used an look on Laura Kuenessberg’s Sunday politics present to blast Rachel Reeves’ merciless minimize, and demand that the federal government “Look at the reality!”

He is joined by Jane Asher and Sue Holderness, who implore older Brits to test whether or not they’re entitled to Pension Credit earlier than December 21, the deadline for receiving Winter Fuel funds.

In a press release, Mr Cox defined he was backing the essential marketing campaign amid older individuals having to fret about turning their heating on, one thing that ought to’t be part of a “compassionate and just society”.

TV star Jane Asher mentioned she was “astounded” to study that just about a million older individuals might lose out on their Winter Fuel Payments this 12 months.

While Only Fools and Horses Star Sue Holderness mentioned anybody involved ought to name Independent Age earlier than the deadline, who can run a free welfare test and assist functions for pension credit score.

Mr Cox, a proud Scot, identified that whereas 150,000 pensioners in Scotland reside in poverty, round 90,000 older persons are lacking out on the Pension Credit to which they’re entitled.

He added: “It has never been more important to ensure that everyone eligible for Pension Credit receives it.”

Joanna Elson CBE, the CEO of Independent Age, thanked Mr Cox, Ms Asher and Ms Holderness for becoming a member of the essential marketing campaign and shining a light-weight on Pension Credit.

She warned: “The number of eligible people missing out is far too high.”

“The people we speak to are already planning to make cutbacks on heating and eating, and going to drastic lengths such as visiting public places to stay warm. This shouldn’t be happening, so it’s vital more older people on a low income start receiving Pension Credit before the cutoff date, so they can top up their income and not miss out on the next Winter Fuel Payment.”

People in England and Wales are entitled to Winter Fuel Allowance, in the event that they have been born earlier than 23 September 1958; have been dwelling within the UK throughout the ‘qualifying week’ – between 16 and 22 September 2024; and so they have been entitled to get Pension Credit or sure different means-tested advantages throughout the qualifying week.

Anyone who shall be affected by the upcoming modifications to Winter Fuel Payments can name Independent Age at no cost on 0800 319 6789 for recommendation and steerage on qualifying for Pension Credits.