Age Gap Tax: Mixed aged couples protest in Hastings & Rye

The Age Gap Tax campaign

From 15 May 2019, couples where one person is over State Pension age while the other is under that age won’t be able to claim Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit. Instead, both people will need to reach State Pension age before they can claim Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

These changes mean that mixed aged couples could lose out on up to £7,000 a year, and a few could lose out on even more.

Older people are being wrongly penalised for having a partner younger than themselves. We are urging the Government to stop this unfair targeting of mixed aged couples and calling on them to reverse their decision.

Why is this important?

The local MP for Hastings and Rye is Amber Rudd, the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions. As leader of the department she is responsible for the changes that will take place. We’re hoping that local action will change her mind – we’ve presented a local petition to her from her local constituents and at the protest we’ll be presenting her office with a book of personal stories from mixed aged couples on how they will be affected. With the changes coming in the following week we hope that this will go some way to make her reconsider.

What we need from you

We need as many people as possible to attend the protest to show their support. We don’t need you to prepare anything in advance – if you’d like to bring your own banners or materials please feel free to do so. On the day there is likely to be a photographer and local media interest – if you do not wish to be photographed please let Age UK staff know on the day.

In return for your support Age UK will:
• provide a packed lunch
• organise taxis to and from both Hastings & St Leonards Warrior Square Stations (roughly 10 minutes)
• Reimburse travel expenses within 2 weeks of the event (providing we receive receipts)
• Provide banners and signage (but feel free to also bring your own)
• Staff support on the day