ALYN and Deeside's MP Mark Tami, has claimed victory in his campaign for a law change worth £70m for pensioners hit by Universal Credit.

It has effectively ended the up-to 9 week wait without income for people on Universal Credit as they reach state pension age.

The campaign received national press attention after Mr Tami called on the government to stop pushing older people into poverty during the switchover to state pension.

A motion he tabled in Parliament received cross-party support and backing from 74 MPs.

The Government yesterday (March 5) announced that the law will change later this year, and in the meantime it will provide a run-on of Universal Credit to everyone who reaches state pension age.

This will leave about 200,000 people £350 better off on average, over the next five years, meaning the campaign has won £70m for pensioners across the UK.

Mr Tami said: “I am delighted that my campaign to protect new pensioners and end the up-to nine week wait for help has been successful after the Government today announced plans to change the law. This will benefit hundreds of thousands of people over the next five years, and it’s good that the Government have responded to the campaign and done the right thing.

“I’m grateful to colleagues from across parliament who have backed this campaign by signing the Early Day Motion and contacting ministers. This will make a real difference to the lives of pensioners in Alyn & Deeside and across the UK. I’m also delighted with the support the campaign has received from Citizens Advice Flintshire, Age UK, and the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA).

“As an MP, especially in opposition, it’s always a great feeling when a campaign is successful and the law gets changed. This goes to show that even in a Parliament where the numbers make things difficult for Labour, we will continue to fight for and achieve victories which make our constituents lives better.”

Before the DWP announced the change, a claimant whose Universal Credit was ending because they were reaching state pension age, and who would be eligible for Pension Credit (PC), could be faced with a wait of up to nine weeks without money, at the end of which only four weeks’ worth of money would actually be payable.

Mr Tami added: “I have said all along that a simple change to the rules could end this bizarre and unfair system.

"I am glad that the Government have finally agreed and made this vital change.”