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Iain Duncan Smith asks wealthy elderly to 'hand back' benefits Iain Duncan Smith asks wealthy elderly to 'hand back' benefits
(about 5 hours later)
Wealthy elderly people who do not need benefit payments to help with fuel bills or free travel should give the money back to the authorities, the work and pensions secretary says. Wealthy elderly people who do not need benefit payments to help with fuel bills or free travel should return the money to the authorities, the work and pensions secretary says.
Iain Duncan Smith told the Sunday Telegraph that he would "encourage" people who do not need such financial support "to hand it back". Iain Duncan Smith told the Sunday Telegraph he would "encourage" people who do not need such financial support "to hand it back".
But the decision whether or not to do so was up to them, he added.But the decision whether or not to do so was up to them, he added.
He also criticised the BBC's coverage of his welfare reforms. The universal benefits include free TV licences for people aged over 75.
There has previously been a discussion in government of means testing to exclude richer pensioners, but Mr Duncan Smith said there were no plans to make that change. Mr Duncan Smith said there were no plans to means test to exclude richer pensioners.
He also said that the new universal credit - a payment that marks the biggest overhaul of the benefits system since the 1940s - was being implemented over four years because "I want to get these things right". He also said the new universal credit - a payment that marks the biggest overhaul of the benefits system since the 1940s - was being implemented over four years because "I want to get these things right".
A pilot for the system is being launched on Monday for a small number of new claimants at a jobcentre in Ashton-under-Lyne, in Greater Manchester.
'Lazy' reporting
Of the new credit scheme, Mr Duncan Smith said: "We want to say to people, you're claiming unemployment benefit but you're actually in work paid for by the state: you're in work to find work. That's your job from now on: to find work."Of the new credit scheme, Mr Duncan Smith said: "We want to say to people, you're claiming unemployment benefit but you're actually in work paid for by the state: you're in work to find work. That's your job from now on: to find work."
The BBC's political correspondent, Robin Brant, says free bus passes, television licences and help with winter fuel payments are benefits for all people over the required age, which Prime Minister David Cameron promised to keep at the last election - but he has come under intense pressure to change his mind. Gradual roll-out
The Liberal Democrats have proposed a review of the benefits, or taxing them. The universal benefit starts on a limited basis on Monday with new claimants, who are single, who live in a small number of postcode areas in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside, Greater Manchester.
The government is in the final stages of deciding its spending plan for the next three years, with welfare accounting for the biggest chunk of it, our correspondent added. Trials in three more areas - Oldham, Wigan and Warrington - will begin in July.
And Mr Duncan Smith also said the government have "had a lot of moments with the BBC" regarding its coverage of his welfare reforms. From October, more claimants will move on to universal credit as and when they have a significant change of circumstances, such as starting a new job or when a child is born.
"They have always tended to to look at the welfare reforms from the jar that is marked - and it's a very leftist jar - 'less money bad, more money good'. So if you are reducing welfare you must be doing something rather nasty." From April 2014 until October 2017, the rest of those affected in England, Scotland and Wales will be moved on to universal credit in stages. It will start in Northern Ireland from April 2014.
But he also said that "a lot of times" the BBC's reporting was "more lazy than politically motivated". In February Prime Minister David Cameron said universal benefits for pensioners will be protected for almost a year after the 2015 general election.
The winter fuel allowance provides between £100 and £300 tax-free to help people who have reached the state pension age with heating bills.
A free TV licence, worth £145.50 for a colour set, is provided for people aged 75 or over.
Eligible older people are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England when they reach the state pension age. Schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland allow people aged over 60 to apply for free bus travel.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed a review of the benefits, or taxing them. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said the debate about benefits for people with assets of over £1m could be opened up after the general election.
The government is in the final stages of deciding its spending plan for the next three years, with welfare accounting for the biggest chunk of it.