PENSIONERS assembled at Huddersfield Town Hall to discuss the Government’s new Budget pension plans.

General secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention Dot Gibson told the group the Government pension increase was ‘peanuts’.

Mrs Gibson’s comments came after Chancellor Alistair Darling raised the state pension by £2.40 per week in the Budget on Wednesday – despite figures showing a falling cost of living.

He said in his speech that pensioners should be confident their pensions will rise in ‘real terms’.

Mrs Gibson responded yesterday: "It doesn’t cover what’s required.

"Many people have lost personal pensions and therefore the state pension is a vital lifeline for everybody.

"And that state pension must be at least above the poverty level of £165 a week – that’s what we’re campaigning for."

Mrs Gibson was speaking at the Yorkshire and Humber Pensioners’ Convention which was hosted by Huddersfield and District Pensioners.

Noreen Logan, chairman of Huddersfield and District Pensioners’ Association, agreed with Mrs Gibson.

She told the Examiner: "I don’t think much of the new Budget.

"It seems to be helping those who already have savings – which is giving to those that have and forgetting those that don’t.

"Pensioner poverty is getting worse and we are campaigning to change that.

"Our membership is very forward-thinking but many do live on the minimum pension.

"The Government may well turn around and say that we get free travel and fuel allowance.

"But what people actually want is money in their pockets to do with it what they want.

"The Government are very fond of telling us what we want, but not actually listening to what we are asking for."

Dot Gibson added: "One in four pensioners still live in poverty and rising costs of food and fuel, combined with record lows in savings returns and under-performing pensions, mean that pensioners are suffering a disproportionate increase in the cost of living. Wednesday’s budget will see pensioners on the full £95.38 receiving £2.38 extra per week.

Women who get £57.05 based on their husbands’ contributions will receive £1.45 more a week.

Winter fuel allowance will be £250 for over-60s’ households and £400 for over-80s’ for a second year.

Kirklees mayor Clr Karam Hussain spoke to the group.

He said: "Pensioners deserve a better pension from the government.

"I began working at 15 and I’m sure lots of you were of a similar age when you started work.

"Everyone has contributed to this country for many years and therefore pensioners deserve a lot more.

"I don’t want the pensioners in this day to suffer after all they have put in to the country."

"It's clear that the message to pensioners from today's Budget is stop counting your savings, don't turn up your heating, and if you make it to next April, make sure you don't spend your extra £2.40 all at once."