LAWS BACKS RESTORING PENSIONS LINK TO AVERAGE EARNINGS

David Laws, MP for Yeovil Constituency, is calling on the Government to restore the link between increases in the basic state pension and rises in average earnings.

The link was abandoned by the Conservative government in 1980, since when increases in pensions have fallen behind increases in average earnings. The current Government have passed legislation to restore the link, but not to do so until some time between 2012 and 2015.

David Laws is backing a House of Commons motion calling for the link to be restored in the next Budget.

David Laws MP said:

“Pensioners have seen their incomes fall further and further behind the rest of the population since the Conservatives axed the link with earnings in the 1980s. Three decades is long enough.

“At a time when the cost of heating, food and other basics is continuing to rise, it is essential that the Government acts quickly to help retired people cope.

“The link with earnings should be restored immediately - and announced in the next Budget.”

ENDS.

Category: MP Press Releases