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This petition was submitted during the 2010 to 2015 Parliament

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Closed petition Hands off universal pensioner benefits

Closed on

Politicians from all the main parties have suggested that the winter fuel allowance, free bus pass, TV licences for the over 75s and prescriptions for older people should either be means-tested or withdrawn altogether. This represents an unfair attack on the benefits that older people have campaigned for over the years – partly in recognition of the inadequate level of the state pension – and we call on Parliament to oppose any such changes.

26,691 signatures


Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition closed

  • Government responded to this petition

    As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

    The Government has no plans to remove or means test universal benefits for pensioners.

    The Government remains committed to protecting key support for older people in recognition of the fact many have worked hard and saved all their lives. This includes: free eye tests; free prescriptions; free television licences for the over 75s; free concessionary bus travel and Winter Fuel Payments.

    This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.

  • Government will respond to this petition

    This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 10 May 2014.