Pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid’s proposals for a “Living Pension”

Over 17,000 pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid Cymru’s General Election promise to increase the state benison by 30% says local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies.

Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones outlined his party’s proposal in the forthcoming General Election for a “Living Pension” during a keynote speech in the Cynon Valley last Monday. Their pledge comes as figures show that £5.4 billion of benefits for older people are left unclaimed in the UK each year, because pensioners find the process of applying for Pension credits complicated and intrusive.

Plaid is campaigning for a Living Pension, which would mean that all pensioners get the increased pension - which next year would amount to £202 per week for a couple. The commitment would be phased in gradually, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners over 80 years old.

Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said:

"With a shocking 74% rise in cold weather deaths in Wales last year, pensioners poverty and protecting key public services must take priority over bankers’ bonuses, nuclear weapons and ID cards.

The Tories want unfair taxes, New Labour want to keep the bankers’ bonus culture and the Lib Dems’ credibility went out of the window when Clegg admitted they had been making promises they could not afford all along.

"Our policy is affordable as the policy would be phased in gradually, with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners benefiting firstly. We in Plaid Cymru know that many pensioners in poverty do not apply for a pension credit, and we also know that many pensioners face huge personal care bills.”

Myfanwy Davies added:

"Our Living Pension scheme will ensure a decent income for pensioners starting with the oldest. It is the right thing to do but it is also a practical step to help the most vulnerable people in our communities and to direct much-needed spending to the small local businesses where older people tend to shop.

Labour and the Tories are falling over themselves to cut vital public spending while we are still in recession. That is the economics of the madhouse. Public spending is the only thing keeping the economy afloat as things stand and we must stand by the most vulnerable in our communities when times are hard."