| 2M pensioners lose out under Labour
21 April 2004
Over 2 million pensioners have lost out under Labour
Commenting on today's Government announcement on the take-up of Pension Credit, David Willetts, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said:
“5.1 million pensioners are eligible for the pension credit. The scandal behind this statement is that over two million pensioners are still not receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
“Too many pensioners are put off by the complexity, intrusiveness and the stigma associated with the means-test. They have been let down by Labour. We must reverse the spread of means testing.
“Only the Conservatives will do this, by increasing the basic state pension in line with earnings not prices.”
Notes:
1 - The Government's own target for the Pension Credit is that by 2006 3.7 million pensioners will be receiving it, 1.4 million less than the 5.1 million pensioners eligible for it. They are planning that after three years, it will have barely reached two-thirds of pensioners.
Hansard 30/6/03 Col. 83W
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|  Shadow Minister
David Willetts is Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. David became the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions during the 1999 Shadow Cabinet reshuffle. During his tenure he has campaigned on issues such as cutting taxes for pensioners, Increasing the basic state pension, abolishing the compulsory annuities at age 75 and crucially allowing younger workers to opt for a properly funded private pension.
David has tirelessly spoken out on behalf of those members of society who are increasingly left out in the cold by the Labour Government's policies. |
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