Shahid applauds increase for pensioner
12 March 2008
Dewsbury and Mirfield Shahid Malik welcomed the increase in winter fuel allowance for local pensioners and applauded what he said was a budget for pensioners. Older people will see an extra boost of £50 to over 60's households and £100 for over 80's households on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.
The 2008 Budget set out key measures to help lift 250,000 children out of poverty. In the Dewsbury area alone, 12,135 families will gain from increases in Child Benefit, rising to £20 per week for the first born child.
Shahid said: "Today's Budget is great news for pensioners, families and children.
Over 9 million households nationwide and 15,200 households in Dewsbury will get extra cash to pay their heating bills this year."
"I want the best for pensioners in Dewsbury and this is an important measure to improve their quality of life. This comes on top of the increases in the age-related tax allowances that will take 600,000 pensioners out of tax. Nobody should ever have to choose between heating and eating."
The Government is also increasing Pension Credit to £124 for a single person, and £189 for a couple; and from this April the free off-peak local area bus travel for the disabled and over 60s is being extended to off-peak travel nationwide.
"Under Labour, we have had 10 years of economic stability and growth and I very much see the Chancellor's budget as a commitment to economic stability, opportunity and security."