Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-04-10.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to help pensioners on low incomes.

Mr David Gauke

Supporting pensioners is a key priority for this Government. Due to the triple lock, the full basic State Pension has increased this month to £113.10 a week – a cash rise of £2.95. This is around £8.50 a week higher than it would have been if it had been uprated only in line with average weekly earnings growth since the start of this Parliament.

We have also passed through the cash rise, due to the triple lock, to the minimum guarantee in Pension Credit. This ensures that the poorest pensioners also benefit.

This Government also continues to protect universal pensioner benefits, such as Winter Fuel Payments, free eye tests and prescriptions.