Liberal Democrats Offer Most To Older People

12.00.00am GMT Thu 10th Mar 2005

The Liberal Democrats will today launch the most comprehensive package of policies for older people of any major political party. It is aimed at lifting the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty and ending the inherent unfairness of the system by bridging the historic gap between men and women.

Analysis of the three main parties' policies directed at older people reveals that they would benefit far more from the Liberal Democrat package, than from Conservative and Labour policies.

Taking the status quo under Labour as a baseline, the Conservatives are offering older people an extra £2.3billion, while the Lib Dems are offering a package worth an extra £6.7billion.

The key Liberal Democrat policies include the creation of a Citizen's Pension, scrapping the unfair Council Tax, and free long-term personal care for the elderly.

Launching the Liberal Democrat Mini-Manifesto for Older People, Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"It's time that Britain's pensioners were treated with the respect they deserve by politicians. Our carefully costed package is worth nearly £7 billion a year over and above what Labour is currently offering to pensioners - and over £4 billion more than the Conservatives.

"It is inexcusable that 2 million pensioners today live below the Government's own poverty line. And it is, quite simply, a scandal that many women pensioners are not entitled to a full basic state pension in their own right.

"Our promise, at this election, will be to add over £100 extra a month for a single pensioner over 75, and over £140 extra a month for a pensioner couple. That will make a real difference.

"Our plans to scrap Council Tax will benefit eight million pensioners, with six million paying no local tax at all.

"We need a new vision - one that treats our older citizens with respect.

This mini-manifesto is designed to ensure both dignity and security in retirement.

"Our message to older citizens is that we understand our debt to you. It's time for a real alternative for older people. The Liberal Democrats are the real alternative."

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

"The choice couldn't be clearer. Liberal Democrat policies will lift the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty; end the iniquitous discrimination against women and offer dignity to all those in need of personal care.

"Labour is the party of mass-means testing and the Tories have tacked women onto their plans as an afterthought with no plans to close the disgraceful gap between men and women.

"Our plans for a Citizen's Pension, based on residency and not contributions, will dramatically cut means-testing, will be fairer for women and are gaining favour in all quarters. Labour and the Tories talk about what an interesting idea it is, but neither of them will actually commit to it."

Margaret Watts, head of SWAPP (Support Women Against Pensions Poverty), added:

"Women are angry at being treated as second class citizens entitled to third class benefits. They feel the indignity of being labelled as a 'dependent', despite contributing directly to their families and to society.

"The system needs a major overhaul. Women in retirement should not have to get out the begging bowl to survive."