Commissioner’s Response to Autumn Statement
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:
“I welcome the announcement from the Chancellor that the State Pension will be uprated in line with inflation next year – something that I and many others have been calling for on behalf of older people – and that the amount of support for older people receiving Pension Credit will also be increased.
“I also welcome the fact that additional support will be made available to older people next year by maintaining the increased Winter Fuel Payment and Cost of Living Payments for those on means-tested benefits.
“However, with energy costs set to increase to £3,000 for a typical household in April – in increase of around 150% compared to this time last year – many older people will still be greatly concerned that they will be faced with impossible bills.
“Many older people will also be concerned about how limits to public spending will impact upon the services they use, and often rely upon, particularly as many of these services are already facing significant pressures.”
