GOVERNMENT plans to boost pensions were welcomed last night.

But Noreen Logan, chairman of the Huddersfield & District Pensioners Organisation, said more needed to be done.

Pensioners will benefit from “the largest ever cash rise in the basic state pension”, the Government announced as details on future welfare payments were set out to MPs.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Pensions Minister Steve Webb said the new rate for the basic state pension would be £107.45 for a single person, an increase of £5.30 per week.

He said: “I can announce therefore that from April, 2012, the basic state pension is forecast to be 17.1% of average earnings, a higher share of average earnings than in any year of the last Labour Government since 1997.” He said: “At a time when the nation’s finances are under severe pressure, this Government will be spending an extra £6.6 billion in 2012-13 to ensure that people are protected against cost of living increases.”

Mrs Logan said it was welcome news but still left the elderly well below the official “poverty” level of £178 a week. “It’s good news but it could be better,” she said.