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Pensioners
I know from the many coffee mornings for pensioners that I have organised in Cambridge over the last year, that many of the ideas introduced by the Labour government have meant a great deal to many local pensioners.
I am proud of what Labour has achieved for older people since 1997. When we came to office, one in four pensioners was living in poverty. Through the Pension Credit, and by extending the number of entitlements and benefits for pensioners, Labour has delivered for older people. Anne Campbell
The Facts
| Investment | In Cambridge 12,140 pensioners receive the basic state pension of £82.05 for single people and £131.20 for couples (up from £62.45 and £99.80 when Labour came to power) In Cambridge 13,780 pensioners benefit from the Winter Fuel Allowance and receive at least £200. Those over 80 get an extra £100 2605 pensioner householders in Cambridge are benefiting from Pension Credit, The Pension Credit ensures that no pensioner need live on less than £109 a week. As a result of personal tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997, the poorest third of pensioner households are better off, on average, by £2,000 in real terms. |
| Access | Labour introduced free TV licences for over 75s, free eye tests and reduced the Tories' VAT on fuel from 8 per cent to 5 per cent. |
| Commitment | The Labour Government is committed to helping people provide for security in retirement. Labour has boosted pension rights for around 20 million low and moderate earners, carers and disabled people, most of them women, through Second State Pensions. The Pension Protection Fund, established by Labour, will mean that pensions will be paid even where an employer fails to meet their promises. |
The work goes on. A Labour Government will:
Give all households with anyone in them aged 65 or over who is expected to pay council tax an additional £200 payment to help meet the cost.
Provide pathways to work to provide older people with the opportunity to work prior to retirement, through: streamlining the New Deal; increasing the state pension for those who choose to defer their pension from 65 to 70 and tackling age discrimination in the work place.
Continue to help older people live independently through assistance to remain in their own home, and continue to help elderly people pay for essential adaptations to their home. We will also establish a special fund to support the development of new retirement villages and charity-based housing schemes.
Create 3000 community matrons using care management techniques to keep people with long term conditions healthier, more independent and out of hospital.
The Myths
The Lib Dems are talking about £25 per week increases in pensions and free long term care - but their proposals are uncosted.
The alternatives
The Tories would wind down Pension Credit and the Lib Dems would scrap it.
The Lib Dems have called free TV licences for pensioners too costly and branded the Winter Fuel Allowance a gimmick.
The Tories would abolish the second state pension - hitting 18 million low earners, carers and disabled people.