Street star backs pensions scheme (From Barry And District News)

Street star backs pensions scheme

It looks like Vera Duckworth had the hots for Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith during the recent heatwave.

But Vera's long-suffering hubby Jack needn't have worried - it was all in a good cause.

Actress Liz Dawn, who plays Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth, joined forces with Mr Smith to encourage pensioners to claim the new Pension Credit.

At the launch of a massive local campaign to stimulate the take-up of this new scheme, Mr Smith said: "From October, the new Pension Credit will help thousands of pensioners in the Vale.

"I'm delighted one of Britain's most famous pensioners is supporting our campaign to make sure people are getting the money they deserve.

"For years the system has short-changed millions of pensioners who have managed to save a little.

"They found that savings or works pensions they had built up were knocked straight off their benefits - leaving them no better off than someone who hasn't saved at all.

"Pension Credit will put this unfairness right - making it clear that it pays to save."

Andrew Smith MP, Labour's Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, added: "Pensioner couples with a total income up to nearly £204 a week and single pensioner with an income of £139 or less can expect to qualify from October.

"Half of pensioner households stand to gain an average £8 extra a week with Pension Credit.

"It will get more money to those who need it most and it comes on top of big steps we've already taken to get more money to all pensioners, including a nearly £2 a week rise in the basic state pension this year."

To claim Pension Credit call the application line on 0800 991234 .