News from Medway Labour

Medway Labour welcomes £60 bonus for 80,000 local pensioners

Following the coldest start to winter in thirty years, the Government have issued a special one-off payment of £60 to pensioners, carers, disabled people and those in receipt of bereavement benefits. Medway Labour want to ensure everyone has got their one off extra £60 payment. This should have been paid as a bonus in people pensions and other benefits by 6 February 2009.

Paul Godwin, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“We’ve been working in Chatham Central to ensure that pensioners, and those on low incomes, are aware of all the help that’s available. As well as all these additional benefits, pensioners are guaranteed either £124 (single) or £189 (couples) through the pension credit scheme.”

Teresa Murray, Prospective Candidate for Rochester and Strood, added:

“I know that £60 will make a lot of difference to many pensioners in Rochester and Strood. These extra benefits, like the free swimming and free bus travel, means that life has really improved for pensioners under Labour.”

Jonathan Shaw MP said:

“This is great news for everyone in Chatham and Aylesford. I’m pleased that the Government has realised that our most vulnerable need help and its right that they’ve invested this extra cash.

“I urge anyone who has not received this payment to contact my office at the earliest opportunity 01634 838678 with their NI number.”

This help is in addition to the extra £4bn which will be spent on pensioners next year, announced by the Chancellor in the pre-budget report. This means the biggest increase in the State Pension since 2001, bringing it from £90 to £95 a week, and the biggest increase in Pension Credit since it was introduced, so that no pensioner need live on less than £130 a week from April 2009.

Jonathan Shaw MP added:

“We know that older people in Medway are facing tough times and that’s why we are making this real help available.

“I hope that this cash, alongside extra Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments, means that no one need worry about turning up the heat this winter.”

Paul Clark MP said:

“For pensioners who’ve worked hard all their lives and now need a bit of extra support, this money is going to be seen as a very welcome boost. I know that claiming extra support or help can sometimes seem confusing. If anyone in Gillingham and Rainham needs advice or help to claim, then they can contact me on 01634 574261.”