FACTS: The truth about this Budget and Pensioners

There has been a lot of misinformation about the Budget, from people who want to paint a gloomy picture. But in reality, this was a Budget for the hardworking people of Harlow, for jobs, and for the vulnerable. Pensioners will be better off.

Yesterday, it was announced:

- We will see the biggest EVER rise in the state pension (£5 extra a week, from this April).

- On top of this, key pensioner benefits have been protected, such as Winter Fuel Payments, free prescriptions and eye tests, free bus travel, and free TV licences for older pensioners.

- Allowances will be simplified, but nobody will pay more tax.

- There are no cash losers as a result. And everyone is still better off as a result of the increase in the basic state pension.

- Even after the changes, half of pensioners will not pay tax next year.

- Over 5 million of the poorest pensioners are unaffected, including thousands in Harlow.

- Pensioners will also benefit from the Government's funding for local authorities to freeze their council tax for a second year. (In Harlow, Council Tax has now been frozen for a record three years in a row.)

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.