A Labour MP has been mocked for a “surprising” written parliamentary question on pensions.
Justin Madders, who represents Ellesmere Port and Neston, tabled a question to the Work and Pensions Department on how many people claiming Pension Credit were born after April 2016.
But you must be aged at least 66 in order to be eligible for the benefit and those born after April 2016 would be seven years old or younger.
Mr Madders’ question prompted mocking from Conservative MPs on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “Yet more evidence Labour can’t be trusted on the numbers…”
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith added: “Parliamentary questions are an important means by which MPs can hold the Government to account. When used thoughtfully that is…”
Mr Griffith finished his post with a crying with laughter emoji.
Tory MP Guy Opperman said: “All ministers have to answer written parliamentary questions. They take a lot of civil service/ ministers’ time and expense.
“I am no longer the Minister for Pensions, but… This is surprising.”
In his written parliamentary question on October 24, Mr Madders said: “To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people claiming Pension Credit were born on or after April 2016.”
In response, pensions minister Laura Trott pointed out that Pension Credit is “only available to those of state pension age”.
She added: “Therefore the number and proportion of people claiming Pension Credit who were born on or after April 2016, is zero. They are, at most, seven years old.”
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