Comprehensive Spending Review
Published on 20 October 2010 03:00 PM
Age Cymru has issued the following statement in response to the UK Government's Comprehensive Spending Review on 20 October 2010.
Victoria Lloyd, Director of Influencing and Programme Development at Age Cymru says:
"There were already plans to increase the state pension age to 66 in 2024, so the announcement that this is being brought forward to 2020 is not a big surprise.
"We accept changes to the state pension age as part of a package of reform, but this acceleration must be accompanied by a drive to improve pensioner incomes and reduce poverty, including greater support for people to continue in employment in their 50s and 60s.
"Pensioner poverty is a problem in Wales and many older people were concerned about changes to financial entitlements that help to tackle poverty in older age.
"Older people in Wales will be relieved that the UK Government has kept its promises to protect vital entitlements such as the Winter Fuel Allowance and the Cold Weather Payment. "