‘Grey manifesto’ sets the agenda
05/11/2009
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has kickstarted a campaign to improve the lives of Britain’s 11 million retired people - by launching a ‘Pensioners’ Manifesto’ for the forthcoming general election.
The launch to representatives from around the UK took place in the House of Commons, led by Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary, and supported by Mature Times editor Tony Watts. Key figures from the three main political parties also set out what their parties are currently committed to - including Pensions Minister Angela Eagle, Shadow Minister Nigel Waterson and Lib Dem Shadow Secretary Steve Webb.
Over the coming months, the NPC plans to put the manifesto before prospective parliamentary candidates to highlight the concerns of Britain’s older voters – and the campaign message will be clear – ‘Use your vote for those candidates that support the Pensioners’ Manifesto’.
The six major manifesto areas that pensioners would like the major parties to address in their own policies include:
• Raising the basic state pension above the official poverty level (estimated at £165 a week in 2009), and linking it to the higher of earnings or prices.
• Introducing free long-term and social care funded from general taxation which would be provided without the need for means-testing, rationing or a postcode lottery.
• Local services to be funded through national income tax rather than council tax.
• Free UK-wide travel to be extended to all forms of public transport to encourage independence and greater mobility, as well as helping the environment and reducing demand on care services.
• Ending age discrimination where it adversely affects the opportunities, goods and services available to older people.
• Raising the winter fuel allowance to £500 per household to tackle fuel poverty and winter deaths.
Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary said: “One in four older people still live in poverty, over 20,000 die every year of cold related illnesses, and the cost and quality of care that pensioners receive is a national scandal. Whilst it’s true that pensioners don’t vote en bloc, they are more likely than any other section of society to turn out to the polling booth. That’s why all the political parties need to realise that if they want our votes, they must start addressing our concerns.”
MT editor Tony Watts added: “Millions of pensioners now find themselves on a State pension that – even by the Government’s own measurements - means they would live below the poverty line unless they go cap in hand for means-tested benefits.
“Those living on the lowest incomes cannot understand why their State pension has to be topped up by a complex array of means-tested benefits and annual hand-outs in order for them simply to keep body and soul together.
“Those who have worked hard all their lives find it hard to fathom why - after years of sacrifice and saving - they are entitled to no benefits at all, and are having to use the money they have scrimped and saved... not to afford a few comforts, but to pay for basics such as food, fuel and Council Tax.
“This is not fair, it’s not just and it strips people of their dignity. It is not even effective. Billions of pounds worth of benefits each year go unclaimed – because so many people find the system is too complex, too intrusive or too demeaning.”
Harnessing the political power of older people is the only way that change will be achieved, he said: “You have to make each of the parties stand up before the next election, and state unequivocally what they will do for you. No ifs, no buts, no possiblys. But pledges that they are then held to. “Only by bringing together all the voting power of older people are you likely to really effect change in this country.”
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HAVE YOUR SAY
Thank you Mature Times for your coverage of The Pensioners' Manifesto. There was very little coverage in the 'Popular Press', as some call it, on the efforts of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) campaign.
Recovery from the 90s recession adversely affected the lives of the majority of pensioners including many of my friends who were unfortuate to be pensioners at that time. Men and women I had worked with and who had served this country through World War II were living on a subsistance from the government that was totally inadequate for even their basic needs.
Dot Gibson Gen Sec of NPC is without doubt a most sincere and forthright person, reluctantly, I suggest that most, if not all, the candidates will pay lip service to our major concerns outlined in the Grey Manifesto. Urging us to vote at the General Election for the candidates who support the Pensioners' Manifesto will achieve a lot, but in my view ALL the Associations representing pensioners should be urging us to vote for the Party that includes some, if not all, the concerns of pensioners in its Election Manifesto.
Tom Heeney
I'm 63 and my wife is 60 and neither of us are in work now so you might expect me to support The "Grey Manifesto" shopping list. I don't and I guess that will make me in an unpopular minority of even maybe one of the readers in your newspaper!
Why would I not support such a shopping list of goodies that would so obviously make me better off? Simple - because someone will have to pay for it and that someone will be my children and by extension my grandchildren. They have it hard enough now and I'm not so old that I don't remember those years myself so these days I'm thankful to be healthy and have the time not to work and not have to worry about unemployment.
For me now I can enjoy walking in the fresh air during the day, and can spend time with my wife and friends. For me that's so much better than having to look after and feed a family so I don't need to join that unhappy band of old age moaners who as so often in the past felt militancy and demanding more money (yes we were the militant workers of the 1970s!) were the way to happiness.
Robbing our children and grandchildren is not the way I want to spend my later years!
David Gale
I am the first to defend David Gale’s right to express his opinion on the “Grey Manifesto”. But find it bit one sided, when it appears that life has been so good for him, and I sincerely hope it carries on that way for many years for them both.
To retire before 65 and seemly having no, or little financial problems to do so, are but a dream to many pensioners. I think some have all the right in the world to 'moan’ about their lot, albeit most having worked all their lives, only to face a retirement, that is less than a reasonable financial position than some, must be recognised at least.
Being 'militant' is a situation forced upon the lower paid, which were, and still are the majority of British workers, to strive to improve their lives in relation to their so called superiors, that always try to justify their ridiculous incomes!
I could write a book on this subject, but a synopsis is the majority or our OAP get a raw deal today no matter which government, according to the welfare of our European partners.
Len Knight
David Gale and his wife are very young pensioners and would seem to be comfortably off - maybe they should consider that many elderly pensioners, in fact 1 in 4, are living in poverty.
I am sure there are ways that David & his wife could assist those poorer pensioners they seem to despise.
Incidentally,by the time their children are able to have their parents money, a Government will no doubt find an inheritance tax to steal it from them.
Josie Herbert Chair, Solihull Pensioners Convention
Whilst I sympathise with David Gale's article, there are many of that cohort who have invested enormous amount of time and money into our children and indeed if lucky grandchildren. In other cultures, such as China, it is expected and a duty to act accordingly and with respect, care and responsibility to the elderly.
This behaviour is part of a cultural dynasty that shows good examples from generation to generation. Many of us are not moaning oldies asking for anything other than some basic quality of life, not just on a financial, but emotional level too.
Personally, I feel that a Grey Manifesto is imperative; we show very little regard to the elderly in our community and we need manifestos and charters just as much as young people.
Daphne Bland
David Gale has the health and wealth to enjoy walking in the fresh air and the company of his family without having to worry about employment or getting a better pension. He obviously has enough money not to worry, in fact he says "I'm thankful to be healthy and have the time not to work and not have to worry about unemployment." If only we all had his luck.
Many pensioners having to work past the current retirement age to supplement meagre pensions are not in good health and would love to be in his situation; does he not care about those who are falling through the net?
There are women who worked all their lives and were told that their married women's contribution would be sufficient; now most of us are struggling to get by on a portion of the full state pension, but we are not all entitled to the extra benefits.
I think the old age moaner is Mr Gale who begrudges those who are not as fortunate as himself.
E. Ward-Birch
Wolverhampton Pensioners' Convention
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