State pension: Vine panelist demands richer OAPs hand pension boost back | Personal Finance | Finance

The state pension is set to increase by 10 percent in 2023 as the UK Government reinstated the triple lock guarantee. But journalist Mike Parry explained on the Jeremy Vine Show he feels “guilty for taking more” and rich OAPs should hand the money back. Mr Vine asked: “Do you take the state pension should be taken away from Mick Jagger?

Mr Parry said: “Of course you should.”

Mr Vine interjected: “He’s paid the tax, Mike!”

The panelist continued: “I don’t care. You’ve got to make a contribution to the wellbeing of the country.

“I’m not as rich as Mick Jagger but I’m prepared to say I feel guilty taking more.

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“My state pension goes directly into a buildings society and stays there.

“I don’t even use it. What I’m saying is why would I want to take some of the country’s money?”

It comes as pensioners on low incomes will be able to more easily apply for their free TV licence under new Government plans.

The reforms laid in Parliament on Thursday would mean that over-75s on pension credit no longer have to fill out paperwork when applying for or renewing their licence, which slashes the usual annual £159 cost to zero.

While eligible older people currently have to fill in forms to prove they receive the benefit, the legislative change would allow the BBC to verify this automatically with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) without the need for paperwork.

The move will mean the 7,000 people who apply for a free licence each month will be able to do so more quickly online or over the phone.

The BBC last year limited the free TV licences to over-75s in receipt of pension credit, which is designed to help with daily living costs for people over state pension age and on a low income.

Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The BBC’s disappointing decision to stop providing free TV licences for all over-75s has left low-income pensioners who remain eligible jumping through administrative hoops to avoid paying the charge.

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