In response to the Pensions Minister, Steve Webb’s announcement today that the State Pension will rise by 2.5% in April, Chief Executive of Independent Age, Janet Morrison, said:
"We welcome the government's continued commitment to the pension triple lock by announcing they will increase the state pension by 2.5% in April. However, even with £2.85 more a week, the basic state pension will still fall short of what older people told the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) they need to afford a basic standard of living. Most pensioners can however reach this basic minimum if they combine it with Pension Credit. So we would urge the third of older people who are entitled to, but not claiming Pension Credit, to do so."