AGE ACTION ALLIANCE
MONEY MATTERS GROUP
Report of the meeting held on 12th June, 2017 at the DWP Offices.
After a welcome by the Chairman, those new to the meeting introduced themselves.
Item 1 – The Cridland Review – An interim report of the Independent Review into the State Pension Age. Two previous reports were published in March, 2017 but because of the election, the full Government report by John Cridland was delayed, as it is a significant decision with a weighty evidence base. This issue is being given the full consideration it deserves, taking ino account the findings of the independent reports and the Government will publish the report giving their conclusions “in due course†- now rumoured to be the Autumn at the earliest !
Item 2 – Pension Credit claims process – there was a report that the intake had increased from 62% to near 70% but this does need checking ! The promised 'Aide Memoir' with the full list of Authorised Offices had not yet been received – this will be 'chased up' but the excuse being given is 'the election' ! One point was clarified in that claimants who do not qualify for Pension Credit are being signposted to other benefits to which they may be entitled.
Item 3 – DWP interactions including the Housing White Paper – responses Chair reported on the reprinted Scams leaflet and the success of this vefry popular resource. Of the 10,000 printed, only a few hundred are still available. Members present spoke of the subtlety of scams and the publicity being given, but still people were falling prey to the scammers. Two other leaflets worth mentioning were those published by two of the banks, namely Barclays and the Co-operative Bank.
The Chair also mentioned that he was aware that Age UK were working on a paper based Budgetary Tool to assist older people and this would be published most probably in late Summer/early Autumn.
Item 4 – Round table updates :-
a) The AAA 'arrangements' re a new support service etc. were 'on hold' but it was hoped that members would be updated by early August.
b)EngAGEnet had been launched in March 2017 officially – they hope to be working with the Centre for Ageing Better on several matters, which will be duly reported to another meeting. It was not perhaps appreciated but the nine regionl Forums on Ageing 9most of which are still 'going strong' had a reach of over 300,000 older people themselves.
The Money Advice Service Financial Capability work is focussed on a) how they can work together better with other organisations in order to align messages, and b) how they can look to see 'what actually works' – they had 58 applications to their 'What Works' Fund awards. Projects are to be completed early in 2018. In November, 2017 there will be the Second Annual Financial Capability Week in order to raise issues on challenges and their solutions as they affect older people.
The date of the next meeting was fixed for 9th October, 2017 – the time and venue to be advised.
Barry W. Wilford (Chairman).
Janice Cooper, 12th June 2017