PENSIONERS LOSE OUT AS GOVERNMENT CLAWS BACK LOST BENEFITS
September 4, 2008 7:00 AM
In North Devon Journal
In North Devon Journal
At a time of rising bills and uncertain economic outlook, it is saddening to learn that 700,000 pensioners are living in poverty because they are not getting the benefits they are entitled to.
These pensioners would be lifted out of poverty if they claimed all of the money that they are entitled to.
And Britain's poorest pensioners will lose out on more than £100million next year under Government plans to curb backdated welfare payments.
Those who have failed to claim their full entitlement to pension credit - and the associated housing and council tax benefit - will in future be entitled to just three months' worth of reimbursements rather than the current 12 months.
The move will save the Treasury £301million over the next two years, according to Parliamentary answers sneaked out as MPs went on summer recess.
It comes as pensioners bear the brunt of the soaring cost of living. As Pension Credit rates have risen by more than State Retirement Pension rates, even if your income was too high to claim last year, you may now be able to claim. SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565 can advise.
Perhaps the Government's failure to impart important information is connected to its readiness to prevent others spreading information?
The United Nations' committee on human rights has accused the British Government of creating laws that curb freedom of expression. The report calls for the reform of Britain's libel laws, and of controls introduced under recent terrorism laws.
The government's use of the Official Secrets Act to prevent issues of public interest being published is also condemned.
The UN says that Terrorism Act 2006 provisions are too broad and vague, and should be amended. And our Libel laws encourage so-called "libel tourism", whereby wealthy foreigners come to our High Court to sue over articles which couldn't be actioned in their own country.
An American researcher, Dr Rachel Ehrenfeld, was sued in London by a Saudi businessman over a book which was not even published in the UK.
The committee warns that, in the internet age, our unduly restrictive libel laws could curb freedom of expression worldwide. They also condemned extension of detention without charge from 14 to 28 days under the Terrorism Act, and plans to extend this to 42 days.
The economy isn't the only area where Gordon Brown's Government needs to do better!
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