PENSIONERS' leader Bill Jupp said last night that the £3.40 increase in the basic state pension would be "wiped out" by increased council tax payments.

Mr Jupp, 76, of Arlington Drive, Marston, Oxford, spoke out after the Government announced the weekly increase, in line with inflation.

People entitled to a full state pension will see their weekly payments go up from £87.30 to £90.70.

Mr Jupp, secretary of Oxford Pensioners' Action Group, said: "This increase is totally inadequate and will not make a big difference for a lot people. All you need is a council tax increase of five per cent and this increase will be wiped out. The vast majority of pensioners are struggling and, when it comes to winter, they will have to make a choice over spending money on fuel for their heating or on their food."

Members of Oxpag will travel to Westminster tomorrow to lobby the Government over pensioners' rights.

  • For a couple where the man has the full pension entitlement and the woman has no entitlement of her own, their joint pension will rise from £139.60 a week to £145.05.

The pension credit minimum guarantee will rise by 4.2 per cent.