ACTION to help lift pensioners out of poverty must be taken now, Bolton North-east MP David Crausby has demanded.

Mr Crausby has joined with Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle in campaigning for the link between pensions and earnings to be restored immediately.

The Government has pledged to restore the link - but not until 2012.

Mr Crausby said: "It is vitally important to restore the link between earnings and pensions in order to ensure that pensioner incomes do not fall behind increases in earnings and the cost of living which would lead to increased poverty amongst some pensioners.

"We have done a lot already, with free off-peak travel, the winter fuel allowance, the minimum income guarantee and help with council tax bills.

"But the basic state pension is still the key issue."