UK DWP schedules pension payments and extends free TV licences to eligible pensioners

On Monday 15 June 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deposited scheduled state pension payments for pensioners in Scotland despite a bank holiday, crediting £965 to new full‑pension recipients and £740 to older pensioners. The DWP confirmed that phone lines and web‑chat were closed for the holiday but the payments were not affected.

The DWP has also revised its online Pension Credit application, now taking an average of 16 minutes to complete. Eligible pensioners who claim Pension Credit can receive a free TV licence and may be entitled to up to £4,300 in benefits, with the option to back‑date claims up to three months. Government spending on pensioner benefits is forecast at £174.8 billion for 2025‑26, with the state pension budget at £146.6 billion, upheld by the triple‑lock guarantee.