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Councillor calls on Government to act on pensioner poverty
Date published: 19/08/2009
Rochdale’s Cabinet Member for Older People Councillor Pauline Maguire has called on the Government to act after figures revealed that Britain has the fourth highest levels of poverty in the EU.
The new figures from the European Commission’s statistical agency Eurostat reveal that‚ even before the recession set in‚ a higher proportion of older people in the UK were living on incomes far below the national average compared to those in countries such as Poland and Romania.
Councillor Maguire said: “These figures clearly show years of neglect by our Government towards pensioners in Rochdale and across the country. Whilst the general wealth of the nation has increased over the last decade, older people’s pensions simply haven’t kept up. I am calling on the government to do something now to help our older people, especially during the recession.
“Our Council has led the way in making sure the needs of older people in Rochdale are met by developing a clear older people strategy. It’s important that we promote a positive approach to ageing, help older people maintain their dignity and independence and reduce poverty in old age.”
Rochdale’s MP Paul Rowen has backed Councillor Maguire’s call saying: “Last winter I was shocked by the number of local pensioners that came to see me who couldn’t afford to pay their heating bills. Some even told me that they had resorted to turning their heating off, putting themselves at risk of hypothermia. For this to be happening to older people in Rochdale in 2009 is nothing short of criminal.”
Have Your Say
Pensioner poor!! If they have paid into the pension scheme like we have, they cannot be poor. Why they are complaining of being cold is beyond me. The government gave us fuel payments which kept our house nice and warm all winter. Plus we received extra allowances.
Why Mr Rowen, is backing Councillor Maguire's call for more help I do not know. Or are they shouting for those who have not paid into the system, and are now feeling the pinch?
Of course not all pensioners are poor; many are, however, and not for the explanation Mr Whitehead provides.
The sad thing is we now have an economy where six million adults of working age do not work and are sustained by tax-payer funded benefits-perhaps much of it from taxes paid by pensioners. In view of his wealth, perhaps Mr Whitehead will support another Labour means test to see whether one qualifies for the old age pension.
Councillor trying to win over pensioners. I am a pensioner and so is my wife. I do not believe that there are any poor pensioners. If you have always paid into the system, then any poor pensioner must not have. The heating allowance kept us warm during the cold weather. It also helped to pay very hefty gas and electricity bills. So there is no need for anyone to call on the Government, they have done us proud.
By James Allan Whitehead @ 19/08/2009 21:51:22
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