 |
answer text |
<p>The State Pension is the foundation of support for older people. Under this Government,
the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is now over £2,050 higher in cash
terms than in 2010.</p><p>Around 1.4 million eligible pensioners across Great Britain
receive some £5 billion in Pension Credit which tops up their retirement income and
is a passport to other financial help such as support with housing costs, council
tax, heating bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.</p><p>We recognise that
some people may still require extra support over the winter, which is why vulnerable
households across the country can now access an additional £500 million support fund
to help them with essentials. The Household Support Fund will provide £421 million
to help vulnerable people in England with the cost of food, utilities and wider essentials.
Up to 50% of the Fund is available for councils to spend on households without children,
including those of State Pension age. Barnsley local authority has been allocated
£2,351,263.96. The Barnett Formula will apply in the usual way, with the devolved
administrations receiving almost £80 million.</p><p>In addition, Winter Fuel Payments
will continue to be payable to customers of State Pension age. We will pay £200 to
households with a customer aged between 66 and 79 and £300 to a household with someone
aged 80 or over. We pay over 11m Winter Fuel Payments annually at a cost of £2bn which
is a significant contribution to winter fuel bills.</p><p>Cold Weather Payments help
vulnerable people in receipt of certain income-related benefits to meet additional
heating costs, during periods of unseasonably cold weather between 1 November and
31 March. This includes older people in receipt of Pension Credit. Those eligible
will continue to automatically receive £25 when the average temperature has been recorded
as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.</p><p>The Warm
Home Discount Scheme provides those in receipt of Pension Credit guarantee credit
a discount of £140 on their energy bill providing their supplier is part of the scheme.</p><p>Furthermore,
the Government continues to protect benefits for older people including free eye tests,
NHS prescriptions and bus passes.</p><p>No such assessments have been made for Hemsworth
constituency or Wakefield local authority. However, the latest statistics show that
in the three years to 19/20, absolute poverty for pensioners in Yorkshire and the
Humber, after housing costs, had reduced significantly.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>
</p><p> </p>
|
|
