Response to Iain Duncan Smith pensioner benefits call
Published on 29 April 2013 09:30 AM
Age UK's response to Iain Duncan Smith's suggestion that wealthier older people should give back their benefits
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK director of external affairs, said:
'Winter fuel payment and the bus fare concession both make a real difference to many millions of older people in this country.
It is open to anyone to decide not to make use of these benefits but when it's suggested that 'wealthier pensioners' should choose to forego them, our worry is that some who are badly in need of extra help will feel less inclined to take it.
'Older people on very low incomes sometimes minimise their own difficulties and refer to others they know who are worse off than they are.'