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“QUEENS SPEECH MEASURES WILL DELIVER A STRONGER ECONOMY AND A FAIRER SOCIETY” - HUNTER

Local MP Mark Hunter has welcomed the announcements in yesterday's Queens Speech which will help boost growth and ensure that pensioners get a better deal, saying that they will help to build a "stronger economy and a fairer society".

Mr Hunter was particularly pleased to see new measures which will help pensioners, carers and local businesses through:

• The National Insurance Contributions Bill: This will introduce a National Insurance employment allowance of £2,000, reducing the cost of employment and supporting small businesses aspiring to grow and want to hire their first employee or expand their workforce. This is set to benefit 1,640 employers across the Cheadle parliamentary constituency.

• Pensions Bill: The Queen also announced a reform of the pensions system, ending the confusion state pension provision by introducing a single, flat-rate pension. This is in addition to the triple lock, championed by the Liberal Democrats, which has ensured record rise in the state pension of £12.50 a week since 2010. The triple lock will continue to safeguard an increase in the state pension in line with earnings, inflation or 2.5% - whichever is higher.

Carers will also benefit from the new flat-rate state pension, even if they take time out of work to support relatives.

• The Care Bill: This aims to put fairness back into funding, ensuring people do not have to sell their home in their lifetime to pay for care by camping costs as recommended by the independent Dilnot Commission. It will also extend the means-test threshold for financial assistance.

To support carers, councils will have to assess what support they need to manage their own lives and provide services to those who need them.

Commenting, Mark said:

"The Queen's Speech shows the influence Liberal Democrats have in the Coalition Government. Our priority to build a stronger economy in a fairer society is clear in these reforms.

"In these difficult times, it's vital we help small businesses who want to hire more people. That's why Liberal Democrats have ensured that local employers get some more help towards National Insurance Contributions, which will help businesses in our area to thrive and create jobs for local people.

"In addition, today's pension reforms will ensure thousands of local residents will have dignity in old age with a fair, single-tier pension and peace of mind by protecting them from potentially catastrophic costs for their care.

"For too long, pensioners and those who need care have received a raw deal and the previous Labour government refused to act and take responsibility. Instead, Gordon Brown gave pensioners an insulting 75p rise in their state pension."

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