Largs MP Patricia Gibson has called on the UK Government to take action on the poor uptake of pension credit.

New figures released show that 2754 pensioners in Largs and North Ayrshire are missing out on a combined £7.4 million every year in unclaimed support.

Pension credit is the main means-tested benefit for pensioners and was introduced specifically to tackle pensioner poverty.

It gives a guaranteed minimum income to those over the state pension age, which will rise to 66 in October for both men and women.

If your weekly income is less than £167.25 for a single pensioner, or your joint weekly income is less than £255.25 as a couple, Pension Credit will top it up to this level. 

Independent Age, shows that 2754 pensioner households in North Ayrshire and Arran are entitled to Pension Credit but are not claiming it.

Patricia said: “Pension credit is a vital benefit to top-up the incomes of pensioners to ensure they have enough money to live on. It is also a gateway to other support such as council tax reduction and, from 1st June, free TV licences for the over 75s

“I have repeatedly highlighted the barriers many of our older people face, so it is hugely worrying that there continues to be silence from the UK Government about how it will work to increase take-up of this support and suggests a complete disregard for the poverty some of our pensioners live with.

"I will continue to press this matter, so that my constituents can successfully claim what is rightfully theirs.”