I am proud to support the Conservative Party in protecting our pensioners. Immediately after I was elected to represent Castle Point, I backed the Conservative Government that introduced the Triple Lock and remain committed to it. Cleaning up from Labour, the Conservative government raised the state pension from just over £100 a week in 2011 to £221.20 a week in July 2024.
In government, I was proud to support the:
- Winter Fuel Payment – Increasing the sums pensioners received to £600
- Support For Energy Bills – Pensioners in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment received an extra £300 to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter
- Pensions Act 2014 – Simplifying pensions to help pensioners gain access to the full value of their pension
Labour cannot be trusted to protect your pension. Last year, Labour brought in a controversial mandate clause, which would allow them to direct £400bn of private pensions to be invested in specific ways, even if this leaves savers worse off. The Conservative Party has vowed to repeal this should we win the next election. Your pension pot will be there for you and you alone, not for Labour to bail themselves out of the economic mess they have created.
Pension Credit:
I want to make sure every single pensioner in Castle Point who is eligible is receiving Pension Credit. I have long campaigned for the uptake of Pension Credit, as many people assume it is automatic and that you don’t have to apply for it so they never check, only to discover they can receive thousands of pounds in support when they do. The DWP estimates that £2.5 billion worth of Pension Credit went unclaimed in 2024, an increase from £1.5 billion in 2023.
Pension Credit, which can mean over £3,900 support a year, is there for those above State Pension age and on a low income to lend a hand with your everyday expenses - boosting your weekly earnings and giving you access to extra benefits.
Even if you have checked in the past - PLEASE CHECK AGAIN - to see if you are eligible now.
You can check your eligibility and make a claim by calling: 0800 99 1234 Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.
Or visit: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
Please share this information with anybody you know over the state pension age as they may be eligible.