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06/10/2004
Pensioners receiving £2 billion extra per year, says Minister
The first year of Pension Credit has made a real difference to the lives of Britain's pensioners, Pensions Minister Malcolm Wicks said today.
Since its introduction in October last year £2 billion extra a year is going to pensioners with 3.17 million people receiving the extra income.
Commenting on the Pension Credit’s first year, Mr Wicks said: "In the last twelve months we have been able to get more money - £2 billion to our poorest and most vulnerable pensioners thanks to Pension Credit.
"We are talking about making a real difference with an average weekly payment of over £40 going straight into the hands of those who need it most.
"We have worked hard to make Pension Credit as accessible as possible. Gone are the days of 40 page application forms and we have moved away from the intrusive weekly means tests of the past. Instead we have made applying straightforward, less intrusive and more focused on the customer's needs.
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions added: "The commitment to tackling poverty remains at the heart of this Government's welfare agenda. Our approach has already cut absolute pensioner poverty by two thirds, lifting 1.8 million pensioners out of acute hardship. Pension Credit is taking the fight on poverty even further.
“But more than that, it also gets extra money to those who have managed to save something for their retirement, and have missed out in the past, ensuring it pays to save on top of the basic state pension."
Pension Credit applications can be made via the freephone Pension Credit application line on 0800 99 1234.
(MB)
Since its introduction in October last year £2 billion extra a year is going to pensioners with 3.17 million people receiving the extra income.
Commenting on the Pension Credit’s first year, Mr Wicks said: "In the last twelve months we have been able to get more money - £2 billion to our poorest and most vulnerable pensioners thanks to Pension Credit.
"We are talking about making a real difference with an average weekly payment of over £40 going straight into the hands of those who need it most.
"We have worked hard to make Pension Credit as accessible as possible. Gone are the days of 40 page application forms and we have moved away from the intrusive weekly means tests of the past. Instead we have made applying straightforward, less intrusive and more focused on the customer's needs.
Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions added: "The commitment to tackling poverty remains at the heart of this Government's welfare agenda. Our approach has already cut absolute pensioner poverty by two thirds, lifting 1.8 million pensioners out of acute hardship. Pension Credit is taking the fight on poverty even further.
“But more than that, it also gets extra money to those who have managed to save something for their retirement, and have missed out in the past, ensuring it pays to save on top of the basic state pension."
Pension Credit applications can be made via the freephone Pension Credit application line on 0800 99 1234.
(MB)
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30 March 2005
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped from 2.8 million in 1997 to 900,000 today, a drop of two-thirds.
06 July 2004
Pensioners receiving more money under new Credit scheme
A new report today showed that 1.83 million pensioner households are getting more money through Pension Credit than was the case under the old Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) system.
Pensioners receiving more money under new Credit scheme
A new report today showed that 1.83 million pensioner households are getting more money through Pension Credit than was the case under the old Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) system.
18 May 2012
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07 September 2004
Lib Dems pledge extra £25 for single pensioners
The Lib Dems have today published their vision for pensions – the 'Citizens Pension' which will see single pensioners over 75 receive an extra £25 a week. Couples over 75 could expect to get an extra £33.70 a week under a Lib Dem administration – and all paid for through the abolition of the DTI. The cost of the policy – which would provide £105.
Lib Dems pledge extra £25 for single pensioners
The Lib Dems have today published their vision for pensions – the 'Citizens Pension' which will see single pensioners over 75 receive an extra £25 a week. Couples over 75 could expect to get an extra £33.70 a week under a Lib Dem administration – and all paid for through the abolition of the DTI. The cost of the policy – which would provide £105.
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