PENSIONS – THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT…
.IS TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT !
The Sun shone down on yet another very successful 2,000 pensioner march through the streets of Blackpool to the Winter Gardens conference complex for the opening of the fourteenth National ‘Pensioners Parliament’ May 16 - 18 organized by the London based National Pensioners Convention.
With the UNISON banner unfurled and flying alongside the many many other pensioner activist groups from all over our country – including a supportive delegation from Canada and from Italy this year, we took our time getting across roads and tram tracks, shepherded by the local Police and our own stewards.
Once inside the Empress Ballroom, and settled, the business of the first day got under way. After introductory and explanaritary remarks by the chairman – we went into a rather lengthly, but interesting group of speakers who supported the popular Pensioners’ Charter either personally or in their ‘official’ role of representing large influential organizations.
Close on a dozen high calibre speakers, from such splendid groups such as the TUC, Age Concern, Help the aged, The British Legion, the Communication workers Union, and our own Rodney Bickerstaffe, who marched alongside us of course – and people like Kate Hoey, the (true) labour MP, and Paul Routledge the ‘Mirror’ columnist, addressed us in complete support and encouragement.
All of them had valid and most important points to make on the ‘Charter’ and how and why they were being supportive of the strong NPC campaign. The session was rounded up and closed by Joe Harris the NPC General Secretary.
Towards the end of this session given over to supporters – a presentation was made to Jack Jones, the former President of the NPC and lifetime fighter for the elderly cause. Given an instant standing ovation and a hearty rendition of “For he’s a jolly good fellow” on his appearance from backstage, he was presented with a bound edition of the narrative of the complete record of the NPC/Government discussions he enacted on behalf of pensioners in 1997 – most promises and commitments since being sadly abandoned. Jack responded with some forceful and encouraging words for us all before leaving the stage.
The next two days were devoted to “white papers” prepared for the NPC by lawyers, parliamentarians and experts for discussion in ‘workshop’ sessions throughout the many halls in the Winter Gardens.
These ‘white papers’ on many varied subjects pertaining to pensioner needs and aims – were put to we ‘members of parliament’ by a platform of the topic ‘minister’ working alongside ‘Mr Speaker’ - Westminster fashion!
These ‘White papers’ will be finalised and worked on back in London before presentation to all our MPs in good time for attention before the real official white paper on pensions goes in to discussion mode at Westminster, and were covering such subjects as –
Nationwide travel / The Universal state pension / Preventive Health and long term Care Bill / Warm homes / Carers and disablement and Age equality / Council tax / Council services / Primary care trusts and dealing with Local authorities. A hefty all embracing list of important matters for attention.
Personally I elected to sit in on the Universal State Pension bill – the Local Government (Council tax) bill, and the Primary care trust debates, during this two day debating fest.
Whilst this was a very ambitious and forward looking programme – there were many stumbling blocks and pitfalls in presentation. Apart from the sometimes appalling ‘radio microphones’ for speakers in the body of the hall to use, which cut out intermittently – there was the method used in the formulation of these ‘white papers’ and the subscribed amendments which were to be debated.
In one instance the ‘members’ waded for maybe an hour and more on amendments to a bill, before coming to the last amendment, which, if carried, would totally wipe out the proposals of the subject in hand ! A little more careful composition and formulation of these ‘bills’ and their amendments are needed if this is to be subsequently repeated. Also I cannot help but wonder if some of the hi-faulting’ official wording was right over the grey heads of the assembled ‘members’.
The main thrust of the conference was directed towards solidarity between generations – meaning that the work done here will obviously benefit the whole of society not just us pensioners but will be ongoing for those coming along the age scale behind us to pick up and enjoy, so that the deadly syndrome of “heating or eating” can be eradicated – in view of the 31,600 deaths due to the cold in the last winter.
We disgracefully have one million pensioners in deep poverty, which is an existence 50% below the average income, all people who should be retired not expired.
With eleven million voting pensioners in the land, and a bigger attendance at this years Pensioners’ Parliament than that enjoyed by the New Labour Party Conference, and certainly representing more people in the land – many of our problems can easily be resolved through the ballot box next time around.
Sadly an amendment from my local Bexley Forum, in the Council Tax bill debate, pointing out the anomaly of the imposition of the 2012 Olympic levy on just Londoners (as opposed to a National collective tax) and calling for its withdrawal. London pensioners, who were never consulted, and may well gain no benefit from this imposed addition to the Council tax for years to come – or worse still not be here for the events even - ask that the levy be totally withdrawn in their case. The nightmare of an even more extended levy pay-back scale if and when a deficit of funds comes to light, looms very large.
There is already a campaign ongoing to object to the wide divide between this year’s pension increase and the hiking up of the London area basic Council tax. But the Bexley amendment objecting to pensioners being saddled with extravagant Olympic bills was slaughtered by other members from the regions respectfully asking us Londoners to stop whining. The monies for the Commonwealth games was never opposed by the locals at the venue areas, West country pensioners are bound to underwrite the EU demands for cleaner beaches all over their area, without objecting – and it was forcefully pointed out that our own conference expenses for the Winter Gardens bun fight had to be shouldered by the local Council Tax payers (including pensioners) in that catchment area – so London pensioners were told to go home and stop whinging!
However the matter of rising prices and diminishing pension values was a big and valid problem for the majority in attendance – considering the comparative rising costs since 2002/3 – the State pension has risen by just 8.7%.
In this same period water rose 12.6% - Council tax rose 22.8% - Gas rose 48.7% Electricity rose 32% (all average figures) and we will not mention fuel! The diminishing values of the pension cannot be sustained – but in reality quoting percentage terms once again – a one percent increase in National Insurance rates would fetch in between 8 and 9 million pounds per annum and would offset any rise to the pension being sought at this time – when our own UNISON target figure is £150 p.week – non means tested.
Our conference President so rightly quoted Gordon Brown in his statement ”Whatever it costs – we will find it” he also sadly had to point out that Gordon was speaking about the costs of the Iraq war at the time. So it becomes more important to fund the war not the poor to those in the Westminster village. How obscene. |
