John Cooper, Scottish Conservative MP candidate for Dumfries & Galloway, has welcomed the arrival of the Winter Fuel Payments and Pension Cost of Living Payments which will benefit around 22,000 pensioners living in Dumfries & Galloway with payments of up to £600.
Across the UK, around 12 million payments have been made to pensioners with more than 99% of pensioners now receiving this support. These payments are not means tested but vary depending on age and the number of pensioners in each household.
This support - worth £4.8 billion - comes on top of this year's 10.1% State Pension increase with the State Pension to rise again in April 2024 by 8.5%.
The UK Government is also encouraging low-income pensioners to check if they are eligible for Penson Credit which can provide on average £3,900 extra to low income pensioners in addition to further assistance with rent, Council Tax, heating and TV licences.
Commenting on these payments , John Cooper said,
"The UK Government took bold and unprecedented action to cushion households across Dumfries & Galloway from the impact of rising prices driven by Putin's illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.
These payments for pensioner households are very welcome as they make sure that those in their golden years are given the support they need to manage winter energy bills and stay well and warm.
The UK Government has delivered on its commitment to halve inflation by the end of the year which is the best way to put more money in the pockets of hard-working people, and rightly continues to take the long-term decisions to support pensioners.”
Commenting, Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
“Today shows we have honoured our commitment to protect pensioners throughout the cold winter months by paying out £4.8 billion of direct support in a matter of days.
“As well as getting this vital money to millions of pensioners, we have fulfilled our pledge to halve inflation and boosted the State Pension through the Triple Lock to ensure pensioners are supported after a lifetime of work.”
