PENSIONERS in the Wee County and wider area are missing out on entitlements according to a charity report.

Findings from Independent Age estimated that £4.7m in Pension Credit goes unclaimed in Ochil and South Perthshire.

The charity called on the UK Government to do more and encourage uptake.

The Labour group in the Wee County also hit out, with Councillor Dave Clark, branded the figures “shocking”.

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

“It is shocking that Clackmannanshire’s poorest pensioners are missing out on millions of pounds in vital support.

“Across the UK the poorest pensioners have missed out on £7billion of Pension Credit since the last election, which means vulnerable people are being left without much-needed income.

“The Tories must right this wrong immediately and do more to increase take-up of Pension Credit.”

The Conservatives' Luke Graham, who serves the constituency, hopes to tackle the issue by inviting people to his office to seek help if they are unsure what they are entitled to.

The MP argued that, in absolute terms, pensioner poverty has fallen from 16 per cent to 14 per cent since 2010, while the DWP spent £5.37bn on Pension Credit in 2017-18.

He said: “It is disappointing that local politicians are trying to score a cheap hit when it is not government denying benefits, we just need to get more people take up their claim to the benefits to which they are entitled.

“Rather than spending my time criticising other political parties, I will contact the DWP and try and identify those who have not claimed the money available to them and try and connect them to the benefits they are entitled to.

“If any of my constituents are unsure if they are entitled to receive this benefit I want to invite you to come to my office and we will look into this issue on your behalf.”