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10/07/2012
Conservative MP Calls For Elderly Benefits To Be Means Tested
Wealthy pensioners should stop receiving free bus passes and prescriptions, Conservative MP Nick Boles is expected to argue later.
In a speech, Boles, an ally of David Cameron, is set to urge an end to universal benefits such as winter fuel allowance and free public transport.
He will argue that such benefits to be means-tested after the next general election, in 2015, stating that the welfare system is no longer affordable.
David Cameron has said previously that he will not touch the benefits in this parliament, but Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith suggested last month that that commitment would be reassessed in the run-up to the election.
At an event organised by the Resolution Foundation think-tank, Mr Boles is expected to argue that older people must shoulder their fair share of spending cuts.
"If we are going to protect spending on pensions - as we should - equity between the generations requires that these cuts cannot only fall on adults of working age," he will say.
(H)
In a speech, Boles, an ally of David Cameron, is set to urge an end to universal benefits such as winter fuel allowance and free public transport.
He will argue that such benefits to be means-tested after the next general election, in 2015, stating that the welfare system is no longer affordable.
David Cameron has said previously that he will not touch the benefits in this parliament, but Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith suggested last month that that commitment would be reassessed in the run-up to the election.
At an event organised by the Resolution Foundation think-tank, Mr Boles is expected to argue that older people must shoulder their fair share of spending cuts.
"If we are going to protect spending on pensions - as we should - equity between the generations requires that these cuts cannot only fall on adults of working age," he will say.
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be dry and rather cloudy, a little brightness here and there. Remaining dry this afternoon but still often cloudy. Fresh to strong westerly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. Then the rest of the night will be mainly dry and mostly cloudy, although rain may reach the north coast later. Windy. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
