Peter
Viggers, MP for the Gosport constituency, this week endorsed
new Conservative plans to increase the basic state pension
in line with earnings and reverse the trend for more and
more pensioners to have to subject themselves to intrusive
means tests. Over a 4-year period, the basic state pension
would rise by £7 per week for a single person and £11
per week for couples – in addition to increases to
match inflation.
Peter explained, “The Government’s means tested
benefits are so complex that even they admit that 1.4 million
of the poorest pensioners won’t claim them. They are
humiliating for many pensioners to fill out and undermine
the incentive to save.
“Labour
has caused a crisis in our pensions. Final salary schemes
are in crisis, personal pensions have halved,
means testing has risen dramatically, and thousands of people
across Gosport and the surrounding area will retire without
enough money to live comfortably.
“Conservatives
will again give pensioners the dignity that they deserve
in retirement. In order to reverse the
spread of means testing, we will restore the earnings link
for the state pension. Over a four-year period we expect
this will release over a million pensioners from means testing.
No pensioner will lose, and most will gain.
“We will offer a fair deal for everyone on pensions”. |
