I believe that hard-working people deserve dignity and security in retirement. I support the Triple Lock and was pleased that the State Pension increased by 8.5% last April, adding £17.35 per week, or £902.20 a year. I will work to ensure the new Labour Government continues this support.
The new Government has pledged to maintain the Triple Lock for the next five years, which has raised the State Pension by £3,700 since 2010, lifting over 200,000 pensioners out of poverty. However, I am concerned that the State Pension will soon be subject to income tax for the first time and I will urge Ministers to protect pensioners' dignity.
I am also worried about plans to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners, which could mean losses of up to £300 for about 10 million people unless they qualify for certain benefits. The previous Government successfully delivered Winter Fuel Payments and Cost of Living Payments to around 11.9 million older people, totalling over £4.8 billion.
I work with organisations that support older people in our community and regularly meet with local health and social care providers to address their needs. I was pleased to see funding for adult social care, including £537,344 for the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care System, and £600 million in new funding for local authorities.
I will continue to advocate for improvements in care for older people under the new Labour Government.
