Streatham MP, Keith Hill has welcomed a new pension credit, which he says is a boost for local pensioners.

In a message to constituents, he said the new credit would help thousands of local pensioners from October.

He said: "This is the biggest improvement in help for pensioners for decades. Pensioner couples with a total income up to nearly £204 a week and any single pensioner with an income of £139 or less stands to benefit from about £8 extra a week.

"It is designed to help pensioners with small works pensions and modest savings. For years, too little was done to help pensioners who saved a little but then found they were unrewarded for their thrift as income support was withdrawn.

"Many pensioners felt aggrieved that while others received extra help they lost out because they had set aside some savings."

Across Britain, nearly half of all pensioner households will be entitled to help from these new proposals.

January 30, 2003 10:30