Petition · past parliament

Hands off universal pensioner benefits

Closed 26,691 signatures

Government response · 17 August 2013

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

The Government has no plans to remove or means test universal benefits for pensioners.

The Government remains committed to protecting key support for older people in recognition of the fact many have worked hard and saved all their lives. This includes: free eye tests; free prescriptions; free television licences for the over 75s; free concessionary bus travel and Winter Fuel Payments.

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.

Timeline

10 May 2013 Petition opened for signatures
17 Jul 2013 Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response
17 Aug 2013 Government responded
10 May 2014 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 26,691
Status Closed
Opened 10 May 2013
Closed 10 May 2014
Response 17 Aug 2013

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.