MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Debbie Abrahams, has led the opening of two inquiries looking at pension poverty and safeguarding.

Ms Abrahams is serving as the chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which has announced the two inquiries - one which is being newly opened and one which is reopening.

The inquiry into pension poverty, which is the new inquiry, will look at the impact of pensioner poverty and its potential mitigations, considering the main drivers and what can be done to tackle the issue.

Meanwhile, the inquiry into safeguarding vulnerable claimants is being reopened after it was interrupted by the general election before a report could be published.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

The inquiry is evaluating the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) current safeguarding approach and understanding how the new government plans to address the critical need for improved support for those who struggle to navigate the benefits system.

Discussing the inquiry into pension poverty, Ms Abrahams said: "Tackling poverty and reducing inequalities has always been at the heart of why I wanted to become a Member of Parliament, and I have focused on reducing inequalities across Oldham East and Saddleworth.

"I want to hear from experts and pensioners at the sharp end to examine the situation to inform the debate around the pensions review and make some recommendations to Government that will ensure people get the support they need."

Regarding the reopening of the inquiry into safeguarding vulnerable claimants, Ms Abrahams said: "We are deeply concerned about the treatment of some disabled benefit claimants by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

READ MORE: Oldham MP hails 'historic' new railways law, saying it will benefit Oldhamers

"The DWP provides essential support for many disabled people, including Personal Independence Payments, Employment and Support Allowance, and Universal Credit. Our social security system, should be there for us all, especially when we need it most."

Elsewhere, Ms Abrahams has written to the government in her role as chair of the Work and Pensions Committee to get answers on the work of the Child Poverty Taskforce.

The Taskforce, set up to tackle the root causes of child poverty, includes seats at the table for the departments for Work and Pensions, Education, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and the Treasury.

The letter, which has been jointly written by Ms Abrahams and the chair of the Education Committee, Helen Hayes MP, presses the Government on Departmental involvement in the body and sketches a number of areas of potential focus for the Taskforce.