Retirees ‘disgusted’ by £4.25 state pension increase amid ‘never ending’ price rises

The government has been accused of “not giving a damn” about elderly people after the state pension increased by just 3.1% today – half the rate of soaring inflation.

The full basic old state pension has risen from £137.60 to £141.85 a week, while the new state pension has gone up from £179.60 to £185.15.

This marks only an extra £4.25 in the pockets of struggling pensioners if you’re on the old system, or £5.55 for those on the new state pension.

But as the cost of living crisis continues to grip families, pensioners have told The Mirror that the state pension increase simply isn’t enough.

Retired teacher Sue, who claims the basic state pension, is going to be 80 in October and called the minimal rise “insulting to pensioners”.

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“I think the government doesn’t give a damn,” said Sue, who lives with her husband, 81, in North Yorkshire.

“We’ve worked hard and thought we would have a comfortable retirement but everything is going up. Our gas bill is particularly expensive and has gone up a lot.

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“We live out of town, so we need a car to go anywhere but petrol is expensive. I need regular checks on my eye. The cost increases are never ending.

“Food has gone up as well – and this all comes at a time when MPs have paid themselves a pay rise. I just feel angry.”

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Mirror reader Phyllis also echoed concerns made by Sue.

“The way successive governments have behaved towards pensioners is a disgrace,” she said.

“Especially this one, by depriving those who have contributed to their pension all their lives, and at a time of high inflation.”

The state pension would’ve risen by 8% under the old triple lock but this has been temporarily scrapped for one year, in favour of a double lock.

The triple lock promise guarantees that the state pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5% – whichever is higher, every April.

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But, in September, the government confirmed it wouldn't take wage growth into account due to the number of people going back into work after the coronavirus pandemic.

There had been hopes that Chancellor Rishi Sunak may have done a U-turn on only reinstating the state pension triple lock from April 2023 in his Spring Statement last month.

“The Government should stick to the agreement for pensions,” said reader Rosemary Thompson.

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“Look after the people who are struggling in this country first. I think they should all agree to a salary decrease for themselves.

“I am disgusted with all that this government has done over the last two years.”

The concerns for pensioners come as households battle against the worst cost of living crisis in 60 years.

Energy bills have been the biggest hit, after Ofgem hiked the energy price cap by £700 for someone with typical use. Council tax and water bills have also shot up in price.

You may have also noticed your mortgage repayments and mobile and broadband bills have increased as well.

Meanwhile, inflation has just surged to 6.2% – way above the 2% benchmark figure set by the Government – and there are predictions that it will keep on rising this year.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: "With inflation now running at more than six per cent, the 3% rise in the State Pension looks extremely mean.

"To make things worse, the Government's response to crippling price rises in their recent Spring Statement was feeble, to say the least.

"Anyone on a low fixed income, including millions of pensioners, will be desperately worried about how to keep on top of their bills."

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We recognise the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, which is why we’re providing support worth £22billion across the next financial year to help.

“This includes supporting over 11 million pensioners with their energy bills through our Winter Fuel Payments, cutting fuel duty and helping households through our £9.1 billion Energy Bills Rebate.

“The full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is now over £2,300 higher than in 2010 and we urge those retired to check whether they are also eligible for Pension Credit.”

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