PENSIONERS have been given an insight into benefits during the past two weekends. Over 300 pensioners visited stalls in Biggleswade and Potton, which were organised by Biggleswade and District Pensioners Association to highlight the financial plight pens

PENSIONERS have been given an insight into benefits during the past two weekends.

Over 300 pensioners visited stalls in Biggleswade and Potton, which were organised by Biggleswade and District Pensioners' Association to highlight the financial plight pensioners' face and how the elderly can claim benefits.

North East Bedfordshire MP Alistair Burt manned the stall in Biggleswade with members of the association and representatives of the education department at Bedfordshire County Council.

Pensioners were also asked to sign a petition urging the Government to abolish or reduce council tax for pensioners with the county council being asked to open a new learning centre in Biggleswade after the previous one closed in August.

"Both weekends were very successful and a lot of people were able to speak to their local MP to put forward their views and to representatives from the county council," said Ken Lynch, chairman of the association.

"There was very good feedback from pensioners on the need to restore a learning centre in Biggleswade and the need for the provision of education for adults in the town."

The association now has almost 5,000 signatures on its petition asking the Government to scrap council tax for pensioners.

Mr Burt said: "It was good to see the association delivering for their members.

"They are right to be very angry about how the council tax has been abused by the Government, rising eight times faster than inflation in the eastern region.

"The Government has loaded stealth taxes onto the council tax which is what has caused it to be unfair."

Mr Burt added: "The Conservative Party is looking hard at how this can be reformed and made fairer, particularly for pensioners, but without loading new burdens on hard working families with children.

"Mid Beds District Council has been very kind to donate the bulbs. It is very good to see the local council doing so much to raise awareness.