On Thursday, Kenneth led his Members' Debate at the Scottish Parliament urging the UK Tory Government's to reverse their sneaky decision to force newly-retired people - whose partners are younger than the state retirement age of 65 - to claim Universal Credit instead of Pension Credit. This forced change, which comes into effect on 15 May, could cost affected households £140.44 per week, or £7,320 per year. The Pension Credit Guarantee tops up a couple’s income to a minimum of £12,940 per year - under Universal Credit, the Standard Allowance entitles couples to less than half that. Kenneth gave as an example a mixed age couple renting a one bedroom property in North Ayrshire, in Council Tax band C with a monthly rent of £373, and receiving a state pension of £160 per week and Pension Credit. Their total loss after being moved to Universal Credit would be £9,223.80 per year – an enormous sum. Indeed, the Scottish Government estimates that, by 2020-21, 3,800 mixed-age households in Scotland, will collectively lose around £20.8 million. To view Kenneth's full speech, please click on the video.
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