This Christmas I am urging everyone across Sevenoaks to check whether you or your loved ones could be eligible for Pension Credit - which is there to help pensioners on a low income with daily living costs.
There are currently around 1,352 claimants in Sevenoaks, However, many who could claim it are not. As the new Pensions Minister, I want to change this – and the mission starts today.
In addition, those who apply by December 18 could also qualify for an extra £324 cost-of-living boost to help manage rising bills. As well as access to other support including housing costs, council tax reduction schemes, heating bills and a free over-75s TV licence
As part of my campaign, I last week visited AgeUK in Sevenoaks to help raise awareness and what was clear was the huge difference these payments make to vulnerable people.
So, if you think you or a loved one could be eligible – as a rule of thumb if they are over State Pension age and have a weekly income of less than £182.60 as a single person or £278.70 as a couple – check with them and check out our online Pension Credit calculator on gov.uk or call 0800 99 1234.
Do not delay. Apply today.
And finally, since news broke of the Labour London Mayor’s plan to extend the ULEZ zone, I have received a huge volume of emails voicing their dismay at the plan which will see drivers pay £12.50 every single time they drive across the Kent-London border. I have spoken in my previous columns about my strong opposition to the proposal, and last week I joined my Conservative MP colleagues to meet with Roads Minister Richard Holden to discuss the disastrous impacts on our community.
The Minister confirmed that the Mayor has the power under the devolution settlement to impose the ULEZ extension unilaterally, but will be coming back to MPs to clarify a number of issues raised, including whether there are any means to oppose the charging infrastructure through the planning system.
Please rest assured that I will continue to do all I can to stop the proposal coming into force. Everyone wants to breathe cleaner air, but this expansion is the wrong way to achieve that - especially as TfL's own estimates have already said it would have little to no impact on air quality in outer London.
I cannot support the imposition of a daily tax that will most severely impact the vulnerable and small businesses during these challenging times. Sadiq Khan has no right to impose a charge on non-London residents and the plan must be scrapped. If you wish to voice your opposition, please do sign this petition, share it with a friend - and together let's tell the Mayor to reverse his decision https://action.conservatives.com/stop-drivers-tax/
