New call to stop older people paying tax on State Pension ahead of annual uprating in April

The final report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) on its independent investigation into changes made to the State Pension age is expected to be published early this year. However, Labour MP Alistair Strathern, has asked the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if any recent assessment of the “potential merits of compensating women born in the 1950s affected by changes to State Pension age legislation” has been made.

State Pension payments are due to rise by 8.5 per cent and most benefits by 6.7 per cent in April, however, many people may not be aware that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will implement the annual uprating on two separate dates. New HMRC payment rates for 2024/25 will start from April 6 while DWP rates will begin on April 8.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures indicate that fraud and error in the benefit system is falling after the UK Government restated its determination to drive levels down further and protect taxpayers’ money. The latest national statistics show that in the 2022/23 financial year, fraud and error rates fell to 3.6 per cent (£8.3 billion) from 4.0 per cent (£8.7 billion).

A new online petition is calling for the concessionary bus pass for people of State Pension age to be extended to cover travel across all parts of the UK. Petition creator, Charles David Smith, argues that giving older people the option to travel for free across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland would “enhance their lives”.

The Black Keys have shared an energetic new video for their single ‘Beautiful People (Stay High)’ from their forthcoming LP.The track serves as the first offering from their 12th album ‘Ohio Players‘ which is set for release on April 5 via Nonesuch/Warner. Today (January 23) the band have released the single’s accompanying video.Directed by Chris Saunders, the video showcases beautiful people across the world, bringing high-energy dancing to match the track’s retro-inspired, feel-good sentiment.‘Beautiful People (Stay High)’ was written by the band’s own Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, alongside help from longtime friends Dan “The Automator” Nakamura and Beck.‘Ohio Players’ will feature a variety of guest appearances too, including collaborations with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Beck. Pre-order/pre-save it here.“We had this epiphany: ‘We can call our friends to help us make music’,” Carney said of the collaborative approach the band had towards the project.

Millions of people claiming their State Pension can look forward to a bumper income boost this year when payments rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. Under the wages growth measure of the Triple Lock policy, those on the full New Sate Pension can expect an annual increase of £902, while those on the full Basic (or Old) State Pension will see an uplift of £692).

A new online petition is calling for reforms to Carer’s Allowance, a benefit delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Petition creator, Austin Powell-Allen, proposes that the benefit should be paid at a rate to match 35 hours at 50 per cent of the National Living Wage rate.

The Uk Government has announced further details on its plans to ensure parents and carers are able to claim National Insurance (NI) credits for years where they have not claimed Child Benefit. This will help more people to fill gaps in their National Insurance record to claim more State Pension in retirement.

Fresh calls are being made for another 'Awaab's Law' to help tenants in private rented accommodation. It's one of a number of 'urgent' recommendations being made today (January 19) by a cross-party committee of MPs as part of a new report.

Even a massive pop star like Dua Lipa finds dating “confusing” at times!

Retirement may be a while off for some people or just around the corner for others, but pensions expert Helen Morrissey, is urging everyone to give some serious thought to deferring making a claim for State Pension, as it could boost their annual later-life income by more than £600.

A new online petition is calling for the UK Government to reform the State Pension system and link the payment rate to the National Living Wage. Petition creator Michael Thompson, also proposes making a ‘universal State Pension’ available to everyone over the age of 60, worth £549.12 each week - equivalent to 47 hours at the National Living Wage rate.

Millions of employees are set for a boost in their take-home pay from this month after the main rate of class 1 National Insurance (NI) deductions was cut from 12 per cent to 10 per cent on Saturday, January 6. The change will mean an average worker on a salary of £35,400 will get a tax cut of more than £450 in 2024/25, while an employee earning £50,000 will pay £3,743 in National Insurance after the change, saving about £749.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed just before Christmas that 11.9 million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments - worth over £4.8 billion - have been made across the UK. This means that around 99 per cent of all eligible pensioner households have received up to £600 to help with energy bills and additional household costs this winter.

Millions of older people in receipt of the New or Basic State Pension are set for another significant increase this year after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that payments will rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. This means that someone on the full New State Pension will see payments go up from £203.85 per week to £221.20 and as payments are typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £884.80 each pay period.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed just before Christmas that around 11.9 million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments - worth over £4.8 billion - have been made across the UK. This means around 99 per cent of all eligible pensioner households have received up to £600 in tax-free cash to help with energy bills and household budgets this winter.

More than 17,000 people have signed an online petition calling for income tax on the State Pension to be scrapped in order to help “reduce the tax burden on pensioners”. The ‘make State Pensions tax free’ petition has now met the 10,000 signature threshold which entitles it to a response from the UK Government.

The Scottish Government recently announced a new devolved disability payment designed to provide additional financial support for people of State Pension age will not include a mobility component. However, it has also confirmed the new benefit will not include any face-to-face assessments as part of the application process.

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Nearly 1.5 million older people with a long-term health condition claiming Attendance Allowance are set for a significant income boost in April following confirmation from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt that benefits will rise in line with the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figure of 6.7 per cent. During the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor also announced that the State Pension will increase by 8.5 per cent - the earnings growth measure of the Triple Lock policy.