Biggest-ever rise in State Pension
From next April the basic state pension will rise by £5.30 per week. That’s £275 per year - the biggest cash rise since 1948. The Conservative-led Government has also reintroduced the link between earnings of people who work and those who have retired. Under the Conservative Triple Lock, the State Pension will always be increased, year on year, in-line with average earnings, prices or by 2.5% - whichever is highest.
Leah Fraser, Conservative Candidate for Wallasey Ward, in May 2012 said: "Most older people in our country have worked hard and saved all their lives. That is why, even as our country faces up to its most serious financial challenge since the Second World War, we have protected universal benefits for pensioners."
Leah is pictured here with her late father-in-law, Ian Fraser VC.
As well as free eye tests, prescriptions, local bus travel and free TV licences for the over-75s, the Winter Fuel Payment is also being paid to more pensioners in Wallasey than ever before.
With global fuel prices on the rise, people in Britain are feeling the effects in their energy bills. The Conservatives in government have taken action to help older people keep warm during winter.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme will give 600,000 of the poorest pensioners £120 to help with fuel bills. Check if you, or someone you know, could get help by visiting this site here.
Locally, the Cosy Homes Grant, can help pay for repairs or new heating: contact John Paul Griffiths on 0151 691 8114 or email heatinggrants@wirral.gov.uk. For further information on the grant please go to Wirral Council HERE.
Alongside the Winter Fuel Payment, permanently increasing the Cold Weather Payment means eligible households receive an extra £25 for each seven-day cold spell
Councillor Lesley Rennie added: "In tough times we are doing what we can to help. In addition to protecting the key benefits mentioned above, we are freezing council tax, which doubled under Labour and ring-fencing £1 billion for social care."
Conservatives are taking the tough decisions to tackle Labour’s debt and get Britain back on track. We are taking action now so we don’t leave the problem to our grandchildren to solve. But even in tough times, we are doing what we can to help pensioners.
