Responding to the Autumn Statement

On changes to the State Pension Age

“Raising the State Pension Age for future generations will be good for the public purse in the long-term but not for individuals. It will be especially tough on people who won’t live very long – who are likely to be on low incomes – because they may find they don’t have much retirement left to enjoy. It will also be tough on those who lose their jobs in their fifties and sixties, of whom there are far too many at present, whose chances of ever getting another job are slim. And it will be tough on those in poor health who cannot work, or who are caring for others. For all these reasons we are worried this policy could create a more unfair society. To avoid this, the Government must do more to help the least well off as they approach retirement in terms of income and employment opportunities.

“If people are going to have to wait longer before they receive their State Pension it is all the more important that it is worth having once they get it. So the Government must secure the ‘triple lock’ – which ensures the value of the State Pension does not decline – in legislation, and it has the perfect opportunity to do so in the Pensions Bill, which is currently before Parliament.”

On the absence of social care from the Statement

“It is really disappointing that the Chancellor did not use this opportunity to address the deepening crisis in social care. Funding is failing on all levels to keep up with the ever increasing demand and the system is on the very brink of collapse and there have already been too many heartbreaking and shocking stories of people who have been let down by poor or no care.

“While the Government deserves credit for bringing forward long overdue reforms to the social care system – a great new system on paper is pointless unless there is sufficient funding in place to make it a reality.”

On changes to energy bills

“With excess winter deaths significantly up last year, in part due to cold homes, the Chancellor missed a major opportunity today to tackle the root cause of the problem – the UK’s poorly insulated housing stock. While many people will welcome a slight reduction in their energy bills, a far better strategy would be to focus on improving energy efficiency so that everyone can keep adequately warm at an affordable price – not just now but in the future too. We firmly believe that the only sustainable solution to the scourge of fuel poverty and escalating energy prices is a major overhaul of our poorly insulated housing, to ensure that cold homes are a thing of the past. In 21st Century Britain, older people’s lives should not be at the mercy of the weather.”

On recognising marriage in the tax system

“This announcement will particularly help married pensioner couples or civil partners where one partner has not been able to make the most of their personal allowance to date. Any measure that helps to improve the income of pensioner couples, particularly in the current climate, is sure to be welcomed. However, it remains equally important to tackle pensioner poverty among single pensioners, who are likely to be on lower incomes.”