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Netto calls on Government to make a statement on Old Age Pension increases
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The GSD opposition says that in recent weeks it has been receiving increasing expressions of concern from elderly people in receipt of the Old Age Pension or the Minimum Income Guarantee or both, in relation to the delay by the Government in increasing either of these two benefits.
It appears that so far the staffs at the Department of Social Security are informing the public that whilst the Old Age Pension has not been increased yet, it will be increased in the future but without stating a date. As far as increases in the Minimum Income Guarantee, affected individuals are being told that it is not known what the Government intends to do in relation to it. This is lack of information being provided is, unsurprisingly, causing unnecessary concern amongst elderly people dependent on these benefits.
It should be recalled that the last time the Old Age Pension was increased was on the 1st of April 2011, and the Minimum Income Guarantee on the 1st July 2011. It is therefore now well over a year since these benefits were increased.
Opposition spokesman, Jaime Netto said "it is important the Government makes a statement about when it will increase these two benefits to allay the concerns of elderly people dependent on them. Such a statement, we hope, would include a commitment that increases will be backdated to a year after the last increase because the delay is becoming quite inordinate and that there is no erosion in the cost of living."
20-08-12
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