PENSIONERS COULD BE £150 A YEAR WORSE OFF

THE new basic state pension of £179.60 a week is expected to rise by 3.3 per cent from April – in line with the predicted increase in the consumer prices index for September due to be published later this month. It will also be applied to those born before April 1945 who get a weekly £137.60 that is then topped up to £177.10 by claiming pension credit. Despite a predicted £308-a-year hike to the state pension, this will be more than swallowed up by a soaring cost of living – which may work out at more than £458 a year. In real terms, pensioners could be £150 a year worse off.

Energy costs are set to rise by 12 per cent from this month – adding £139 to the average annual gas and electricity bill. Council tax may go up 5 per cent – a typical hike of £60 a year – and groceries could rise by more than £100 a year per person.

Adding insult to financial injury, the BBC is also demanding that over-75s pay £159 a year for their previously free TV Licence.