Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Theresa May and Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today pledged that the Conservatives would campaign to Protect Britain’s Pensioners against Gordon Brown’s plan to scrap the Disability Living Allowance and the Attendance Allowance.
2.4 million pensioners receive on average £60 per week or £3,400 a year from these benefits. Gordon Brown’s plans to scrap them would mean that some pensioners would lose around a quarter of their income.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign Andrew Lansley said:
"As ever with Gordon Brown you have to look at the small print. In order to set up a new National Care Service he is planning to take away vital benefits from the elderly and disabled.
“It will mean that many pensioners will lose around £60 a week, which could be as much as a quarter of their income.
“We don’t yet know what the Government’s plan for a National Care Service would really involve, but let me make it clear – it must not be funded by snatching benefits back from 2.4 million vulnerable pensioners.
"My pledge to you today is that we will Protect Britain’s Pensioners and fight against Gordon Brown’s plan to scrap benefits for the disabled.”
Theresa May added:
“Labour has chosen to penalise one of the most vulnerable groups in our society for the sake of another eye catching announcement. As with every Labour initiative, someone has to pay and, as with many of them, it is the least able who are to be forced to do so.
“These benefits are a vital support for disabled pensioners and give them the chance to have an independent life with the freedom to tailor their care to their needs.
“Labour has decided, yet again, to take choice away from individuals and in return dictate what is best for them. We believe that people know what is best for them.”