PENSIONERS in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath are missing out on more than £5,717,000 in unclaimed pension credit, a leading charity has revealed.

Independent Age estimate that £5,717,000 million in pension credit is going unclaimed in the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency 'amid the Tory Government doing virtually nothing to ensure pensioners get the help that they need', claimed an MSP this week.

Across Scotland more than £300million is going unclaimed by 123,000 households, he stats revealed.

In Fife as a whole this figure is £17,603,000.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley said: “The last Labour Government cut pensioner poverty, but the Tories have disgracefully allowed it to go up on their watch.

“It is shocking that Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath’s poorest pensioners are missing out on more than £5.717 million in vital support.

“The Tories’ idea for encouraging people to apply for Pension Credit – an 'online toolkit' – would be laughable if this wasn’t so serious."

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

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