Government help for pensioners and mothers

Posted By: Ibrar Khan
Date Posted: 06/01/2009

With many people uncertain about their future in 2009, I want to let Rochdale Online readers know of some of the measures being offered by a Labour Government to help them through difficult times.

From this week (January 5th) child benefit will go up to £20 a week. Child tax credit will also increase by £75 in April. And on top of the winter fuel payment of £250 for over 60s and £400 for over 80s, every pensioner will also receive a £60 payment in January in addition to their £10 Christmas bonus.

Furthermore, the state pension will increase by five per cent this year – the biggest increase since 2001. And the pension credit will also be increased to £130 for single pensioners.

I am proud to see our Government awarding these increases to pensioners and it shows the difference between the Labour Party and the Lib Dems, whose leader Nick Clegg is so staggeringly out of touch with the reality of pensioners that he said he thought the state pension was £30 a week.

Furthermore, from January expectant mothers will also be able to make a claim for a health in pregnancy grant through HM Revenue and Customs. This will provide pregnant women with financial support as well as advice from a health professional. And in April every mother to be will become eligible for child benefit from week 29 of their pregnancy.

Along with the measures that our Prime Minister is introducing to ensure the banking system gives support to small and large businesses to help our economy, I am sure this additional support will be welcomed in Rochdale.

This year will be very difficult for many, particularly those who have lost their jobs. Here in Rochdale – and nationally – the Labour Party will be doing everything we can to help people through these hard times.