Changes to benefits that will affect older people have been highlighted by a seniors’ group.

Keighley and Bradford Pensioners’ Association has criticised some of the changes in its newsletter.

It details rises to the basic state pension of £2.70 a week for single pensioners and £4.30 for couples. But it points out the increase would have been higher if it had been linked to the Retail Price Index.

The newsletter also says age-related personal tax allowances had been frozen for those aged over 65.

It said: “This will result in 4.4 million existing tax-paying pensioners losing an average of £8 next year, while future pensioners will suffer a loss of around £197.”

The newsletter also outlines plans to bring the existing basic and second state pension together to create a single payment of around £144 a week.

“It represents little more than a repackaging of the pension system,” it states.

Download the newsletter at kbpa.weebly.com.