A Pensioners' Manifesto

AgeSectorPlatform
11 February 2010 - 9:33am
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Tagged as:

• Age Concern Help the Aged NI
• Age Sector Platform
• General Election
• Irish Congress of Trade Unions
• National Pensioners Convention
• Older people
• Pensioners Manifesto

The next general election is expected to take place in May 2010. In preparation for this, Age Sector Platform has been involved in developing a pensioners' manifesto in partnership with the National Pensioners Convention (NI), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NI) and Age Concern Help the Aged NI. 

Ivan Baxter, a member of the Pensioners' Manifesto Group, explains how the manifesto will allow older people to start holding their political representatives to account. He commented: "Our pensioners' manifesto lays out, in no uncertain terms, the needs and demands of the older population in Northern Ireland. It is then the duty of our local candidates to consider these demands when standing for election as MPs to Westminster this year. With the backing of such respected organisations, we will ensure that our politicians know what we need from them." 

"It is now up to older people in Northern Ireland to do their bit to support the manifesto and to inform their local candidates seeking election of the needs of older people.  Consequently, we hope that politicians will see the merit in what we are asking for and adopt some of our points into their own election manifestos." 

"This campaign will only be successful if we have the full support and assistance of the older population in Northern Ireland. We must stand together to ensure our political representatives are aware of our needs and are pushed to work effectively on our behalf."  

The manifesto

All men and women shall be entitled to dignity, security, and fulfilment in retirement.   

We therefore demand that politicians should:   

1. Commit to the Eradication of Pensioner Poverty by:   

• Increasing the basic state pension, paid alongside other existing entitlements to provide some financial security for all. 
• Restoring the link with the higher of earnings or prices.
• Bringing forward the automatic payments of benefits. 

2. Increase the winter fuel grant to reflect the high energy prices and introduce a system to review the amount each year in relation to energy costs.   

3. Provide improved access to quality social and long-term care to maintain dignity in advanced years. 

4. End unfair discrimination where it adversely affects the opportunities, goods and services available to older people.  

What you can do to support the pensioners manifesto: 

• Sign our online petition at www.pensionersmanifesto.org.
• Meet with or write to your local candidates telling them about the pensioners' manifesto and your support for it.
• Contact your local newspaper to inform them about the pensioners' manifesto
• If you are canvassed by a politican or someone representing them, tell them you are in support of the pensioners' manifesto and if possible give them a copy!
• Contact Age Sector Platform by phoning 028 9031 2089 or emailing info@agesectorplatform.org to request copies of the pensioners' manifesto to distribute amongst your organisation/group and friends/family.