PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has backed government moves to help pensioners.

He said he was delighted that new figures show that 4,517 pensioners in his Pendle constituency are benefiting from the new pensions credit with an average award of £42.33 a week. The cash goes to help pensioners with modest savings and stop them having their benefits clawed back because of their previous thrift.

Labour back-bencher Mr Prentice said: "Pensioners are a top priority and I want to see them get a good deal.

"The pension credit is clearly making a big difference to many pensioners in Pendle."

He has also welcomed the government's new Pensions Bill which will see a new pension protection fund set up so if a pension fund goes bust, people will still get their money in retirement. He welcomed a new regulator for the pension industry and the ability for people to defer taking their pension in return for a lump sum of up to £30,000 after five years.

He added: "Pensions is an area crying out for change to bring fairness and simplicity."