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.”