A CAMPAIGN to ensure pensioners in Burnley claim the cash they are entitled to has been launched by the town's MP.

Peter Pike expressed concerns about the number of people who are not aware of their entitlements and emphasised that they could be missing out on more than £100 a year.

Mr Pike said: "Labour want to help all pensioners while giving extra assistance to those most in need.

"There are a number of pensioners eligible for the new minimum income guarantee but not claiming the extra cash they are entitled to."

The minimum income guarantee for pensioners will be increased in line with earnings from April to around £78 a week for single pensioners and £121 a week for pensioner couples.

Mr Pike said: "There will be 16,742 pensioners in Burnley helped by the £100 fuel allowance and 6,697 over-75s will receive a free television licence - a saving of more than £100 a year.

"But this is only part of the package. Labour has cut VAT on fuel, introduced free eye tests for the over-60s and will spend £21 billion on the NHS over three years.

"When the Tories were in office they waged war on the poor and now say they would scrap the minimum income guarantee and the winter fuel allowance.

"While Labour is determined to help pensioners and tackle poverty, the Tories would abandon them.

"I am determined that every pensioner who is entitled to extra help in Burnley gets it."

Mr Pike said the question for pensioners was: "Are you missing out on the income support you are entitled to through the minimum income guarantee?"

And he added: "Together we can tackle poverty and make sure retirement is a time of security for all pensioners."

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