IDS warned over pensioner benefits
A leading charity has warned that comments about retired people “handing back” benefits could be counter-productive.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph yesterday Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said there would be no change to universal benefits paid to all pensioners, including winter fuel allowance, free bus passes and free TV licences.
Some Conservatives and Lib Dem Cabinet Ministers want the benefits to either be taxed or means-tested.
Mr Duncan Smith said wealth pensioners should pay those back to the state voluntarily.
“It is up to them if they don’t want it to hand it back,” he said.
“I would encourage everybody who reads the Telegraph and doesn’t need it, to hand it back.”
Caroline Abrahams from Age UK said:
"Winter fuel payment and the bus fare concession both make a real difference to many millions of older people in this country.
“It is open to anyone to decide not to make use of these benefits but when it is suggested that 'wealthier pensioners' should choose to forego them our worry is that some who are badly in need of extra help will feel less inclined to take it.
“Older people on very low incomes sometimes minimise their own difficulties and refer to others they know who are worse off than they are."
In the 2010 general election campaign David Cameron pledged that there would be no move to reduce or review universal pensioner benefits.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has repeatedly said he does not agree with the policy.
“I just don't think it's justifiable, when so many people are tightening their belts, to say multi-millionaire pensioners still receive universal benefits across the board," said the Lib Dem leader.
