A BOLTON MP has welcomed government plans which will put money back into the pockets of sick pensioners.

A campaign to curb the controversial pension "clawback" for people who are in hospital has ended in victory.

Dr Brian Iddon, who has been fighting for years to get rid of the controversial benefits rule, said "justice has been done".

Hundreds of Bolton's pensioners have been financially penalised for decades for staying in hospital for longer than six weeks.

The frail elderly found themselves having their weekly income cut by £28.50 a week because of long-standing Government rules.

But, following pressure from the Bolton South East MP, Age Concern and the Bolton Evening News, the Government has announced that it will change the law to stop older people from losing vital benefits and pensions when they go into hospital.

Since 1948, pensioners who were forced to stay in hospital for longer than six weeks automatically had their pensions cut.

Now, pensioners will have to stay in hospital for longer than 13 weeks before they lose their benefits.

Dr Iddon joined forces with Age Concern to put pressure on the Government earlier last month in an Early Day Motion before Parliament.

Dr Iddon said: "Justice has been done. It is a sign of the times. The Government has to move with the times.

"These patients still had to pay bills like electric and their housing rent.

"Ideally, there should not be any 'clawback'. But 13 weeks is double the length of time that pensioners had before."

The change in the rules will benefit 26,000 people and will cost the Government £40 million each year.

Dr Iddon said: "I am especially pleased that this decision has been taken as I have been calling for a change for some time now."

A BOLTON MP has wel.3comed government plans which will put money back into the pockets of sick pensioners.

A campaign to curb the controversial pension "clawback" for people who are in hospital has ended in victory.

Dr Brian Iddon, who has been fighting for years to get rid of the controversial benefits rule, said "justice has been done".

Hundreds of Bolton's pensioners have been financially penalised for decades for staying in hospital for longer than six weeks.

The frail elderly found themselves having their weekly income cut by £28.50 a week because of long-standing Government rules.

But, following pressure from the Bolton South East MP, Age Concern and the Bolton Evening News, the Government has announced that it will change the law to stop older people from losing vital benefits and pensions when they go into hospital.

Since 1948, pensioners who were forced to stay in hospital for longer than six weeks automatically had their pensions cut.

Now, pensioners will have to stay in hospital for longer than 13 weeks before they lose their benefits.

Dr Iddon joined forces with Age Concern to put pressure on the Government earlier last month in an Early Day Motion before Parliament.

Dr Iddon said: "Justice has been done. It is a sign of the times. The Government has to move with the times.

"These patients still had to pay bills like electric and their housing rent.

"Ideally, there should not be any 'clawback'. But 13 weeks is double the length of time that pensioners had before."

The change in the rules will benefit 26,000 people and will cost the Government £40 million each year.

Dr Iddon said: "I am especially pleased that this decision has been taken as I have been calling for a change for some time now."