'After a lifetime of giving, it’s time pensioners received something back' - Your Letters: May 5
PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: A picture of a frantic search for bargains from May 25, 1962. The caption read: ‘The rush is on, and there are bargains galore at the Codsall Roman Catholic Church jumble sale held at the Crown Hotel, Codsall. The proceeds were for church funds.' The image was taken by Johnnie Johnson.
PETITION TO GIVE OAPs FAIR DEAL
In a country where we pride ourselves on decency and fairness, it is both troubling and unjust that millions of older citizens continue to face retirement on a state pension worth only around 27 per cent of the national average wage.
So, we launched two petitions that call on the Government in taking immediate action to restore dignity, fairness, financial security and more spending power to all pensioners. Firstly, we urge everyone to support our petition: “Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs at the Living Wage”. We believe the State Pension should be a universal right, not a means-tested benefit with a constantly rising age of entitlement. From April 2024, 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage (£11.44/hour) amounts to £549.12 per week, or approximately £28,554.24 per year.
This is a reasonable benchmark for a decent and dignified retirement. We propose that the State Pension be made available to all from age 60, regardless of gender, income or location, including expatriates who have contributed to the system. The current policy trajectory, delaying access via the means test system, where pensioners only have to be one penny over the means test threshold, to get nothing, while eroding the value of the state pension, betrays generations who have worked hard, paid taxes, and raised families.
Secondly, we call for support of our other petition: “Fund free TV licences for all pensioners”. The decision to remove free TV licences for all over-75s, except those receiving Pension Credit, was a cruel blow, particularly when pensioners only have to be one penny over the pensions credit threshold and they find they still have to pay the TV licence. For many pensioners, especially those living alone, the television is a lifeline to the outside world.
At a time when energy bills, food prices and council taxes are rising relentlessly, asking pensioners to pay over £159 a year to watch the BBC is both insensitive and unjust. To make matters worse, many cannot navigate the bureaucratic maze required to access Pension Credit. Meanwhile, media executives continue to draw six or seven figure salaries, paid in part, by those least able to afford it.
We believe these two reforms, a living State Pension at 60 and free TV licences for all pensioners, are the minimum a civilised society should offer those who have contributed so much. We call on the British public, the media, Members of Parliament, to back these petitions and stand up for pensioner's rights. We urge readers to back both petitions and show support for the millions who helped build this country. After a lifetime of giving, it’s time pensioners received something back.
Wakeup Britain!
