Opposition leader Dr. Grant Gibbons has branded the delay in the seniors' pension increase "an absolute disgrace" and has urged Government to backdate the rise.

He said it was wrong for the seniors to suffer financial losses just because Government did not get the legislation in order in time.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how a three percent increase had been promised to seniors earlier this year and was supposed to take effect from August.

However, a Government spokesman said because Parliament was annulled on June 10 for the July 24 General Election, Government was unable to table the legislation.

Therefore, the increase, which amounts to between $12 and $18 a month, will not kick in until December, and the spokesman said it did not appear to take into account any backdated payments.

"It's totally inexcusable that the legislation was not done because custom and practise normally is that legislation for the Contributions Pensions Act is done at the end of the budget period in March," said Dr. Gibbons.

"The election was not called until well into June. Clearly, Government and Mr. Cox promised to increase the benefits by three percent with effect from August.

"It's an absolute disgrace that the increase will not be backdated and will not now take effect until December 15. I certainly would call on Mr. Cox to to state unequivocally that the increase will be made retroactive to August because clearly it's the fault of the Ministry and not the seniors."

Dr. Gibbons said much had been said and written about the fact that seniors were already strapped for cash, and many were counting on the increase to their pension.

But he said Hurricane Fabian had also placed an additional burden on seniors as many now had cleaning up bills and repairs to pay for.

"Seniors should not have to suffer because the Finance Minister did not pay attention and did not get the legislation through when he should have back in the first part of the year," he added.