Iain Duncan Smith says it is an "anomaly" that all pensioners receive universal benefits, no matter how rich they are.

Wealthy pensioners are being encouraged to hand back benefit payments they do not need such as free bus passes and the winter fuel allowance. The Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said it was an "anomaly" that all pensioners receive universal benefits, no matter how wealthy they are. He has urged elderly people to voluntarily pay back taxpayer-funded financial support they can afford to live without. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph Mr Duncan Smith said there is "no indication of change" to the current system, despite he and other ministers calling for an amendment to the payment system.

He told the newspaper: "It is up to them if they don't want it to hand it back. I would encourage everybody who reads the Telegraph and doesn't need it to hand it back." Prime Minister David Cameron promised in 2010 to protect universal payment for the whole term of Parliament, and has so far resisted calls to change it. The Liberal Democrats have proposed a review of the system. Business Secretary Vince Cable said Mr Duncan Smith had raised an important issue but acknowledged it would be "difficult" for this Government to address it because it was not part of the coalition agreement.....Read more here

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