HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is urging elderly people in his constituency to ensure they claim the extra pension cash that is being made available by the government from April.

The minimum income guarantee means single pensioners receive at least £78 a week and pensioner couples should receive no less than £121.

Mr Pope said: "There are a number of pensioners in Hyndburn eligible for the new minimum income guarantee but not claiming the extra cash they are entitled to. Labour wants to raise awareness of extra help for pensioners."

The MP said that a series of moves by the government were helping improve life for pensioners. He said that the poorest pensioners could be up to £15 a week better off once free television licences, free eye tests and winter fuel allowance payments were taken into account.

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