GREY POWER
A News n Views Special
British pensioners are amongst the worst off in Europe
That was the blunt message of the recently launch North Staffs Pensioners' Convention, attended by Jack Jones (National Pensioners' Convention), George Stevenson MEP, the Lord Mayor, and Mr. David Goodman, author of "No Thanks to Lloyd George", a history of the fight to win the pension.
Reasons given included the cutting of the link between average earnings and the pension {leading to an estimated loss of £11.50 to single pensioners and £18.25 or more to married couples, if the practice had continued}; and the obligatory 'standing charges' (often amounting to a month's pension over the year), for services like gas and electricity -- whilst at the same time those services make £Billions in profits each year.
Add in the thousands of pensioners who lose out on income support, and poll tax benefits, simply because they've put a bit by, and the position of British pensioners is very precarious indeed.
That's why a series of meetings have been set up, at the Willfield-Queensberry Community Centre, Lauder Place North, to further outline and decide a charter for pensioners. He stated the Convention was a "non-Party Political Pressure Group, which was willing to make itself a nuisance to all political parties in order to get a better deal for pensioners." And concluded, "Ageing should be a process that we look forward to, and enjoy, not a time of fear and uncertainty, with some forced to end their days in poverty."
Those wishing to find out more, or seek advice from Mr. Goodman, can write to "Grey Power", Evening Sentinel, Sentinel House, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5SS. Meanwhile, we would like to hear your views on the matter, whether young or old, Labour, SLD, or Conservative. Our address is on page three.
Copyright The Bentilean 1999
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