PENSIONERS have reacted angrily to news that state pensions will rise by just 75p.

Chancellor Gordon Brown announced senior citizens would receive free TV licences and annual winter fuel allowances of £100.

But the news came on the same day the government confirmed the basic state pension would rise by just 75p a week.

Roy Hawken, spokesman for Southampton Pensioners' Forum, said the increase was "deplorable, disgusting and insulting".

He said: "Gordon Brown has boasted about making tax breaks for entrepreneurs, who are successful people, but under the Labour government pensioners who are merely surviving are "successful".

"Since 1982, when Margaret Thatcher broke links between pensions and average earnings, we haven't had a real increase. A rise in council tax will more than swallow up this increase now. We're getting a raw deal. OK, so we're getting a free TV licence, but this is not before time. Overall, pensioners are still disgusted - and this government just hasn't listened to us."

MPs gave a mixed reaction to the Chancellor's pre-Budget report.

John Denham, the health minister and MP for Southampton Itchen, said he was delighted over-75s would get a free TV licence worth £101 from autumn next year. He said: "I have campaigned for a long time to improve the pensioners' TV licence system. I would like to thank all the Southampton pensioners who have supported me when I have raised this issue in the Commons."

David Chidgey, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said it was a step towards fairer concessions in television licences. He said rules giving free TV licences to pensioners in sheltered accommodation or in flats with a warden were regarded as unfair by many people who did not qualify. But, he added: "The fundamental rise of 75p in the basic state pension is an insult to pensioners and we have been arguing for years now for an up-rating of £5." From next April, the government's "minimum income guarantee" for pensioners - an entitlement to claim means-tested income support - will rise for single pensioners from £75 to £78.45, in line with the growth of average earnings.

My message to Echo readers by Chancellor Gordon Brown - see page 10 of tonight's Daily Echo.

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