Aberavon MP Welcomes New Year Cash Boost for Local People
19th December 2008
Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis has welcomed a new cash boost for his Aberavon Constituents as part of the Labour Government's financial help for 15 Million people.
Following the coldest start to winter in thirty years, the Government this week formally ordered a special one-off payment of £60 to pensioners, carers, disabled people and those in receipt of bereavement benefits.
Dr Hywel Francis said,
"This is a Christmas cracker for everyone in Aberavon. I am pleased that the Government has realised that our most vulnerable need help and it is right that they have invested this extra cash. The Christmas bonus will be a real winter warmer for all who get it".
This help is in addition to the extra £4 billion 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 a week to £95 a week and the biggest increase in Pension Credit since it was introduced, so that no pensioner need live on less that £130 a week from April 2009.
Dr Francis added,
"I know that older people in Aberavon are facing tough times and that's why I am supporting these measures. 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. Thanks to a Labour Government, everybody should have real help with their bills".
Notes to Editors:
1. Christmas bonus will be paid in 2 instalments. £10 in December and £60 between January and March
2. Majority of State Pension customers should receive the £60 payment in January 2009. The remaining 3 million people will receive it in February or March
3. Labour Government is spending £575 million on increased winter fuel payments this year. Someone aged 60 -79 will receive £250 and £400 for households with someone 80 and over.
4. Cold Weather Payments have also been increased from £8.50 to £25 per week for winter 08/09 that are paid out when the average temperature where recipient lives is recorded/forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days during 1st November to 31st March.
