MHAIRI Black has blasted the “callous” UK Government over a “sleekit” bid to impose pension cuts while the country is distracted by the Brexit crisis.

Age-gap couples could lose out on thousands annually in a new cut unveiled quietly on Monday night – while politicians and the media prepared for the crunch vote on Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Agreement. Pensions Minister Guy Opperman made the announcement while talks on the meaningful vote were ongoing.

From May 15, couples where only one partner has reached state pension age will no longer be able to claim pension credit, a benefit which boosts the support given to older people with low incomes. Currently, married couples can move from working-age to pension-age benefits as soon as the oldest partner reaches 65.

But from the spring this will only be allowed once the youngest person reaches state pension age.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says the change – which will apply to new claims only – will ensure younger people do not receive extra cash as a result of their spouse’s age.

Citizens Advice Scotland says this could mean a reduction of up to £140 per couple per week.

Black, who aims to secure a Westminster Hall debate on the matter, told The National: “It is wrong that this government, that promises over and over that it is making pensions fairer, is now forcing people of state pension age to wait for a top-up that they only require because the pension is so terrible in the first place.

The National:

“Beyond all that, it is so completely and unabashedly shameless for the Government to try to hoodwink the public, by sleekitly implementing this change when all eyes were rightly focussed on the debate about the Prime Minister’s terrible Brexit deal.

“These are the actions of a government that is happy to push through cruel and callous cuts to people’s social security, but doesn’t want to ever face those people they are hurting.”

Opperman said: “Pension credit is designed to provide long-term support for pensioner households who are no longer economically active. It is not designed to support working-age claimants.

“This change will ensure the same work incentives apply to the younger partner as apply to other people of the same age, and taxpayer support is directed where it is needed most.”

But Citizens Advice Scotland warned the change could cause real hardship as those affected have had little chance to prepare.

A spokesperson said: “With some couples potentially being £140 per week worse off, there is a very real risk of hardship. Changing the extra support available, with very little notice, just because one member of a couple is of working age, could leave some couples struggling to cope.”