A SWINDON pensions campaigner has slated a new rise in the pension as peanuts.

Pensioners are to get a £2.15 rise in their weekly State pensions next year, Chancellor Gordon Brown's pre-budget announcement said this week.

This will mean a single pensioner will now receive £79.60, while a couple will get £127.25.

There will also be a £3 rise in Pension Credit. The credit, which was introduced in October, serves as a top-up for poorer pensioners.

The rise for couples will be £5. Both come into effect in April.

But Frank Avenell, the secretary of the Swindon Fairness For Pensioners Group, says the rises will do little to relieve pensioner poverty if Swindon Council introduces a large council tax hike.

Mr Avenell, 82, of Beckhampton Street, said: "Just £2.15 is peanuts you would struggle to get a meal for it. You have to measure it against other costs. If the tax goes up 15 per cent then a small rise in pension will be useless.

"Pension rises will only help if they are in line with living costs at the moment they're not."

In addition to the rises, the Government has set a new saving element threshold. It now mean single pensioners on incomes of up to £144 a week and couples on incomes of up to £211 a week will be able to claim extra money.

Figures published earlier this week show174,000 households in the South West were receiving Pension Credit at the end of November and the average amount awarded is £41.90 a week.

Swindon Age Concern director Jo Osorio said: "Increases to the basic State pension and Pension Credit will help some older people but radical action is needed to solve pensioner poverty.

"The Government must turn its back on means-testing and increase the basic State pension to at least £100 a week.

"Pensioners shouldn't miss the opportunity to share in the prosperity of the nation."

Andrew Smith, the Secretary Of State For Work And Pensions said: "Tackling pensioner poverty is a top Government priority.

"The rise will bring the total increase since 1997 to £17.

To apply for Pension Credit call 0800 991234.

Kevin Shoesmith