Thread by @JosephineCumbo

On the eve of the critical Brexit vote, the Government is accused of “sneaking out” changes to pensioner benefits that could cost mixed aged older couples more than £7000 a year. The DWP announcement was published around 7:20 tonight.

Details to follow

1/

This is the “Pensions Update” written statement from Guy Opperman, Pensions Minister, published this evening.

parliament.uk/business/publi…

The minister is announcing changes which will reduce access to pension credit for couples where both are not over state pension age.

2/

Pension credit tops up the incomes of the poorest pensioners.

Currently, a household can claim pension credit if one member of the couple is over state pension age, and the other is under SPA.

3/

From May 15, pension credit couple rate will only be paid to coiiles both over state pension age (currently 65+).

This matters because the rate of pension credit is typically higher than working-age benefits.

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@stevewebb1 reckons some mixed age pensioner couples could be left thousands of pounds worse off.

See his comparison of working age benefits v what a “mixed age” pensioner couple can currently claim.

The change will apply to NEW claims made after May 15.

6/6

The reform to eligibility for pension credit for couples was approved in 2012, under @stevewebb1 watch as pensions minister. Last year, the current pensions minister said the reform would be implemented once Universal Crecit was nationally available for new claims.