Pensioner poverty

Along with petrol, pensioner poverty is now a top political issue. And about time too.

New statistics show the number of pensioners in poverty has increased by 100,000 since Labour came into power, which translates into 600 more pensioners living below the poverty line in Kingston.

So what should we do?

Labour proposals

The Chancellor at the Labour Conference says next April's inflation rise will be more than £2 a week and he will increase the means-tested pension 'top-up' for the very poorest.

Conservative proposals

William Hague's Conservatives have a different plan - they would scrap pensioners' winter fuel payment, free TV licences and Christmas bonus.Then, using the money saved, with some extra cash taken from Britain's poorest families, boost the basic pension.

The net benefit for pensioners from the Tories? Just 42p per week.

Liberal Democrat proposals

The Liberal Democrats Conference agreed an immediate rise of at least £5 a week for all pensioners (on top of Mr Brown's 'inflation' rise of £2) plus an extra £5 for over 75s, plus an extra £10 for the over 80s.

In other words replacing the miserly 25p pensioners get paid at 80 with a total extra of £15 a week.

None of this is means tested.

It would be paid for, not by taking other money back from pensioners but from a 50% tax rate on income above £100,000.

The lottery of old age
Informer article

Pensioner poverty
Informer article

Pensioner winter deaths

Pensions and inflation

Tackling pensioner poverty
New statistics

Brown buckles on pensions at last

Tell me what you think
about proposals to tackle pensioner poverty

Pensioners and Inland Revenue

Campaign page

Tax Victory for Pensioners

Adjournment debate
Full text of speeches on 9/6/2000

Pensioners and the taxman
Informer article

Other topics about pensioners

Pensioner success - "Steps in right direction"

Beware pensioner rip-offs

Fair deal for Kingston's pensioners

Long Term Care

Spending priorities
Tell me what you think our country's spending priorities should be.

Save our Post Offices News of the Post Office campaign

Bus to Kingston Hospital

75p pension increase
Informer Article

Current campaigns