Jade Wright

MPs are urging the government to raise Universal Credit for 66-year-olds affected by the rise in State Pension age from 66 to 67, warning that many are at risk of poverty because they cannot work and must rely on far lower benefits than Pension Credit. The Work and Pensions Committee says poverty spiked during the previous pension age increase and could worsen without intervention, criticising the government for using decade-old assessments. It recommends a temporary Universal Credit boost costing around £600 million, compared with expected Treasury savings of £10.5 billion, and calls for broader long-term support for older workers. Andrea Barry of the Centre for Ageing Better backs the recommendations, highlighting heightened financial vulnerability in people’s 60s.