Pensioner benefits shouldn’t be protected at the expense of the taxpayer
23 February 2015
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Universal benefits to pensioners shouldn't be protected
Commenting on David Cameron’s pledge to protect universal benefits for pensioners, Director General at the IEA, Mark Littlewood, said:
“Politicians must stop trying to woo elderly voters at the expense of other generations. Combined with the triple lock on pensions and the extension of the pensioner bond scheme, committing to protect the universal benefits currently received by the elderly is completely unjustifiable going into the next parliament.
“There is no economic rationale for these benefits, and as a matter of principle taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for wealthy pensioners to enjoy the luxury of a free bus pass or TV licence. The elderly cannot remain immune to public spending restraint and abolishing these benefits would help ease the burden on the working age population.”
To arrange an interview please contact Camilla Goodwin, Communications Officer: 0207 799 8920 or 07821 971 443.
Notes to editors:
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“Politicians must stop trying to woo elderly voters at the expense of other generations. Combined with the triple lock on pensions and the extension of the pensioner bond scheme, committing to protect the universal benefits currently received by the elderly is completely unjustifiable going into the next parliament.
“There is no economic rationale for these benefits, and as a matter of principle taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for wealthy pensioners to enjoy the luxury of a free bus pass or TV licence. The elderly cannot remain immune to public spending restraint and abolishing these benefits would help ease the burden on the working age population.”
To arrange an interview please contact Camilla Goodwin, Communications Officer: 0207 799 8920 or 07821 971 443.
Notes to editors:
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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