'After a lifetime of giving, it’s time pensioners received something back' - Your Letters: May 5

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!

Denver Johnson, Staffordshire

HELP THE DEAF ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The May bank holidays are upon us and train stations are buzzing with travellers and day-trippers.

However, for millions of people who are deaf, or have hearing loss, using public transport can be a challenging and stressful experience. 

Imagine being on a platform. Passengers suddenly start leaving and you’re not sure why. Or you’re on a train that stops unexpectedly between stations, and you seem to be the only person in the carriage unaware of what’s going on.

What should be a relaxing journey can quickly become an anxious and isolating experience.

Deaf people often rely on fellow travellers for help.

To mark Deaf Awareness Week, which starts today,  RNID - the national charity supporting the 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus - has highlighted concerning research showing that the public are often unwilling to assist deaf people when navigating public transport. Whilst many people do want to help – they’re often held-back by uncertainty around how to communicate.

The good news is that RNID’s ‘It does matter’ campaign offers free tips and videos with basic BSL phrases to help people become more deaf-aware and confident when offering support.

This Deaf Awareness Week is the perfect time to learn how you can make a difference. Visit rnid.org.uk/it-does-matter to find out more.

Teri Devine, Associate Director of Inclusion, RNID

HS2 HEADLINE IS JUST NONSENSE

The report “Quaint picturesque West Midlands village torn in two by huge 700m HS2 tunnel making life a 'daily nightmare'” — is utter nonsense.

Burton Green (where I live) is neither “quaint” nor ”torn in two” by HS2. Burton Green was actually “torn in two” by the London & North Western Railway when it built its new line from Kenilworth to Berkswell, which opened in 1884 — 141 years ago.

In order to pass through Burton Green, the LNWR line was laid into a deep cutting — which when excavated did, indexed, cut the then village in two with just one narrow road bridge connecting the two halves.

In the 1980s, the original railway line was closed completely and was turned into the Kenilworth Greenway, a bridal way, cycleway and public footpath (aka a linear park) developed and owned by Warwickshire County Council and which passed through Burfon Green in the railway cutting first excavated and divided the village in the 1880s.

HS2 decided to use the alignment of the original LNWR line through Burton Green but to place the new line in a “green tunnel” — now nearing completion together with a replacement Greenway alongside it — which will provide a substantial public open space and amenity on its top and will extensively reunite the two halves of the village created by the original railway cutting in the 1880s.

Alan Marshall, Burton Green

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