Chloe Smith MP and Lisa Townsend pledge to continue the fight to end pensioner poverty

Member of Parliament for Norwich North, Chloe Smith, and Norwich South Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Lisa Townsend, have pledged to continue fighting to end pensioner poverty. Chloe and Lisa are determined to see that pensioners have financial security to lead a dignified and full life. Age UK asked Chloe to support their campaign to end pensioner poverty which identifies key measures that should be taken to support pensioners:

• Raise awareness amongst local authority and health staff of the full range of financial support already available to pensioners
• Help those working with pensioners to encourage them to make a claim for any support or benefits they are entitled to but may not yet receive
• Provide clear, step-by-step information on how to make a claim and who to contact for financial support

Chloe and Lisa fully support these goals. Locally, they will continue to work closely with Age UK, and several Church and voluntary groups that work tirelessly to support elderly members of the community, to see these simple steps implemented. More information about Age UK’s work and their campaign can be found on their website www.ageuk.org.uk. As a local MP, Chloe has always prioritised the welfare of local pensioners by tackling issues such as local transport provision so that something as simple as getting to the shops is not a daily struggle, and campaigning to keep the Timberhill Walk-In Centre in its current location to best serve its local residents. More broadly, Chloe and Lisa strongly back the Government’s commitment to support pensioners. They believe that the best way to ensure that pensioners are financially secure in their retirement is to make sure that the state pension is as generous as possible, supplemented by additional benefits. In Parliament, Chloe has supported the Government’s decisive actions, including:

• A triple lock on the State Pension has been introduced, which will ensure that the basic State Pension increases every year by the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent. As a result of this, the State Pension is worth about £440 more in 2014-15 than it was in 2010.
• A new pensioner bond is being created that will offer retired savers a return that is better than anything pensioners can get now. Alongside this, from April 2015 millions of people on Defined Contribution schemes will no longer have to buy an annuity if they don’t want to and there will be no punitive 55 per cent tax rate if you want to draw down more than your tax free lump sum. Importantly, people who have worked hard and saved all their lives will now be able to pass on their hard-earned pension pot tax-free.
• The Government is protecting universal benefits, including Winter Fuel Payments, bus passes and TV licences, for the duration of this parliament. Cold Weather Payments have also been increased and the Warm Home Discount introduced to provide vulnerable pensioners with an £135 rebate on their energy bills.

Chloe commented: “No pensioner should face a life of poverty. I have fully backed this Government’s actions to provide financial support to elderly people; now we must make sure that local authorities, health workers, carers and pensioners themselves are aware of the assistance already available. “Nationally, as many as 1.6m older people who are entitled to Pension Credit are not claiming it - this could mean them receiving an extra £1,700 a year. “That would put food in the cupboards or pay the heating bills to keep warm in winter. “I will continue to work in partnership with Age UK locally, alongside other local charities and voluntary groups to ensure that this vital information reaches local pensioners who need it most.” Lisa commented: “Low interest rates and the poor economic climate have hit pensioners hard over the last few years. I am proud that the Conservative-led Government have protected universal benefits for pensioners, who have worked their whole lives and paid into the system. “In recognition of the tough times many pensioners have been through, the Government is introducing the inflation-busting pensioner bond, rewarding those who save for their future and the future of their family. I will continue to work with Age UK and local groups in Norwich to ensure that our pensioners know the full extent of support available and how to secure it.”