Policies

• representing the views of pensioners and potential pensioners.
  
  
• getting a better deal for pensioners throughout England.
  
  
• helping to make a better future for everyone.
  
  

Come election time, politicians from all parties make promises. The grey vote is substantial, so inevitably pensioners get their fair share of promises. These politicians promise to work for a better future − then, when elected put all their effort into improving − their future! New Labour came into office in 1997, full of hopes and promises. Quite soon, they discussed their own salaries and pensions, implemented major increases, and gave the pensioners 75 pence.

The Pensioners Party is interested in pensioners present, future pensioners and a better future for all, since we are all potential pensioners!

Europe:
...is a reality and it would be neither advisable nor useful to ignore it. And yet a lot of pensioners in the EU states get a better deal than our own senior citizens. The Pensioners Party sees Europe and the EU as an opportunity to ensure that England's Pensioners have a fairer, more wealthy and dignified role in the UK population. Additionally, this party's stance on and in Europe will be to limit legislation and Europe's influence on our way of life − a way of life that pensioners find comfortable and familiar

The Euro:
...has certainly improved some aspects of commerce and travel in the Union. But to relinquish the pound for the same advantages would be a poor deal. For example, price increases are forecast if we adopt the Euro (it happened in Eire) and in this situation pensioners, with their income NOT linked to UK wages, would be the real losers. Most older voters want to retain the pound. Many are still unhappy with the metric weights and measures but still struggle on. The Pound is different. It is a fundamental token of our nations culture and a final defence for independence.

Asylum Seekers and Immigration:
...is an emotive topic throughout the population. Over 50s are generally tolerant people with more important things to think about than racist dogma and ethnic persecution. However, ethnic concentrations have developed around the country that clearly can be threatening both socially and economically to some.

Mature citizens would not want to turn away genuine asylum seekers searching for safety and refuge from tyranny and oppression. But mis-management of immigration has eroded this goodwill. The Pensioners Party seeks proper control, with sincerely correct statistics, and every attempt made to spread the impact on UK society as widely as possible.

Law and order:
...or Rising Crime is an issue of serious concern to the vulnerable sections of our society. Older people should not be frightened to leave their home because of violence on the streets. The party wants tougher sentences for muggers, thugs, burglars, tricksters and vandals who target more senior citizens.

Health:
...pensioners have contributed to society when they were at work, now they should be getting their contributions back. Their need for optical attention, dental treatment and health care increases with age and it is fundamentally unfair for them to have to pay for it all over again. All health care should be free, uniformly available and dignified. Time for older people is at a premium and they should be treated with the highest priority on waiting lists and in queues for treatment. In residential accommodation the personal care should also be free (as in Scotland). Mixed wards should be abolished, they are an affront to the basic dignity of patients.

Local Taxation:
...the Poll Tax was an attempt to distribute the cost of running local government more fairly. Council Tax fails in this respect and the single resident pays dis-proportionally to the amount of service they receive. This party will persist in its opposition to Council Tax in the present format. A local Income Tax would be fairer, together with a cap for senior citizens. This party agrees with the National Pensioners Convention that the chancellors attempt to compensate over 70s with a one-off payment is ineffective and inadequate.

Central Taxation:
...pensioners do not resent paying income tax, but two area of taxation are particularly iniquitous and this party will make strong representations about :-

• Inheritance tax threshold, originally designed to distribute the wealth of the seriously rich. This threshold is now so relatively low that it is impinging on the financial plans of the ordinary pensioner who has made modest arrangements to pass on something to the family.
  
  
• Employer National Insurance premiums charged for workers past retirement age. This can only deter employers from recruiting older staff.

Transport:
...some pensioners enjoy free bus/metro train transport in their locality, some have vouchers or half-price concessions, some get none of these at all! It is in the nations interest for pensioners to travel and maintain an active lifestyle. A uniform facility, nationwide (albeit without exacerbating the rush hour problem), should be available to pensioners at little or no cost.

Utility supplies:
...older people use less electricity and gas, water and telephones than the general population. This party proposes that standing charges should be greatly reduced for all pensioners.

Weights and Measures:
...the metric standards are still confusing to a large section of the community. The Pensioners Party sees nothing wrong with retaining Pounds and Pints and running them in parallel with Kgs and Litres.

International peace:
...the mood of pensioners is one of pacifism; supported by concern over the instigation and escalation of war in Iraq. This party believes that the country should be guided to be more in line with European views and less dependant on US direction.

State Pension:
...the Conservatives abolished the link between the state pension and average earnings and New Labour have carefully avoided restoring that link. As a result state pensions are more than £30 less than they would be and should be. The Pensioners Party believes that state pension, NOT means tested, should be £110 per person, (£170 for a couple) and index-linked henceforth (the index being a sincere reflection of the cost of living, not a manipulated value). The pension is not a benefit, but a right, earned by past contributions, and should be treated as such.

...Payment of pensions direct into bank accounts is causing concern and distress. Many older people lack the documentation and persistence to open a bank account, they prefer the reality of the local Post office and want to retain use of it as part of their weekly routine. The Pension Book should be saved for all who want it, without prejudice.

Age Discrimination:
...can affect all ages in society but is most noticeable and offensive to the older citizen. This party condemns age discrimination and seeks legislation to align its control with race, sex and disability. There is no practical reason why this should not be introduced and applied particularly in employment procedures and health provision.

Education:
Today's pensioners graduated through apprenticeships and developed skills appropriate to the manufacturing base of this country. Their concern now is that this skill resource is fast disappearing and with it the nations ability to cope competitively in the worlds markets. Education should be for life, relevant and useful.

Defence:
This party opposes continuous cuts in the armed forces