THE BUDGET 2012

Pennies matter for many

GRANNY TAX

What a description for an infamous proposal. Any pensioner whose income does not exceed £10,000 should never be taxed. Indeed this unconscionable method of collecting money from the elderly has been in force for too long. A pension is supposed to protect those no longer able to work from penury in their old age. IT IS NOT AND SHOULD NEVER BE A TARGET for tax. To tax the helpless elderly is cowardly, iniquitous and immoral.

Obviously, we are not talking of the Retired Chairman of British Gas and all the other Fred Goodwins who wouldn't miss a spot of tax but of people who spend their lives budgeting, scrimping and saving merely to get along by keeping warm and able to buy a moderate amount of food to keep them well, let alone over-indulgence.

Mr. David Davis said on "Question Time" that the pensioner was, under these proposals, only losing about £63 per year. Where has he been living all this time? The half-year water rate for one person was £81 so Mr. Davis' £63 leaves the householder £9 short. Added to this the rising fuel costs levied in utility bills, the rise in meat and bread prices, not to mention milk, leaves most of the elderly scratching their heads and quite often sick with worry.

Of course £63 to Mr. Davis and his friends equates to one meal at Simpsons or the Savoy, a taxi fare, a bottle of wine and a generous tip so of course, £63 to the likes of Mr. Davis is chicken feed.

We hear today (10th April 2012) that Mr. Osborne is "shocked" to learn that many people only pay about 10% tax. Perhaps he should find out a bit more and get his finger out and if he genuinely is not aware of certain sections of our society only paying 10% tax then he ought to and most certainly should not be Chancellor of the Exchequer.

DANGERS OF GENEROSITY

It has been very heart-warming to read that people like Ann Widdecombe and David Jason together with others relatively well off, are contemplating, or already are, giving their fuel allowance to those less well off. They say that they do not need it and to help the country to save, feel it only right that they pass their unwanted benefit to others.

Now this is very noble and one does not wish to sound churlish or ungrateful when coming across these reports in the press.

However, it is very disturbing for the pensioner movement as a whole that these good natured folk are by their decent instincts and generosity putting many of the less well off at risk of becoming subject to means testing, something which the Greater London Pensioners and those of the National Pensioners Convention have always fought against. So one wonders if a little more consideration should have been applied when performing public acts of apparent generosity.

If the Government becomes aware that Winter Fuel Allowance is not needed in some quarters, then they will probably come to the conclusion that this grant should be means tested since it is not required by all.

People a little better off should understand that the Winter Fuel Allowance, the Freedom Pass and Prescriptions are the only items granted to Pensioners not means tested. These are an entitlement given freely into their hands once they attain the age of 60. Part of the criteria of the State Pension campaigners is that grants from the Government should protect the recipients' dignity and means testing certainly does not.

These acts of kindness although well intentioned are backfiring in that they attract attention from a Government already looking to cut expenditure from any direction. Thus to give away a benefit of this nature publicly can in fact be a great disservice to a group of people already treated with contempt by a low pension. The State pensioner by his very dependence on this entitlement (notice we use the word entitlement and NOT benefit), is an illustration of need. Many are already suffering from the cold regardless of the Fuel allowance and do not need the indignity of means testing which will result if people better off decide to openly practice their philanthropy. The bible put it nicely with the phrase: "hide your light under a bush". If you are going to donate your allowance, then for the sake of all those depending on this rare gift from the Government, please do it quietly without drawing attention to the fact. That really would be a noble thing to do.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PENSIONS TODAY AND TOMORROW

How will pensioners cope with Con-Dem cuts and policies?

Come to our Conference on Saturday 12th November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.at SOMERS TOWN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 15O OSSULSTON STREET,KINGS CROSS Entrance £3 with Buffet Lunch provided.

Invited Speakers:

STEPHEN BENTON - London Councils and Freedom Pass

Prof. STEVE ILIFFE -Primary Care and Population Health

JAY GINN - Women's Pensions

Invitations have gone out to other prospective speakers including Ken Livingstone.

All welcome. Another year has passed since our last open Conference and still we soldier on. Come along and make your contribution. It is a chance to voice your anxieties,observations and comments, besides proposals affecting the ever increasing number of Pensioners in the UK.

We are told that we are all in this together, something we didn't need reminding of. Fuel poverty will be more widespread and the cost of basic foodstuffs spiralling. The NHS is undergoing significant changes, not all to the benefit of the elderly. We have plenty to speak about so come along and let us hear your voice.

Bowel cancer - know the signs

Some of you may be aware of an organisation called "The Link". This was set up mainly to give the public via affiliated members, an opportunity of raising health issues and obtaining more information about the NHS and attendant matters.  In Havering, we have a very hard-working branch which holds many meetings and is indebted to its secretary Joan Smith.

The last meeting's set of minutes had with its enclosures details of symptoms of bowel cancer and although this is not a pleasant subject, I thought it worth our while to know a little more about it and to be very aware of its effects.  What should be stressed is that if you have any concerns in this regard, please do not ignore them and close your eyes.

It was mentioned that many people do nothing about worrying signs because they are afraid, embarrassed or do not want to waste their GP's time.  Well the answer to this is that embarrassment should never stop anyone from consulting their GP.   He, after all, is used to "bodies" of all sorts and is only interested in their workings.  It is NEVER a waste of time to ask your doctor about any anxieties you may have. He will be only too pleased that you have shown courage in coming forward and by doing so, have probably caught the disease in good time.

Finally, there is the fear, and one's imagination running riot. If you can grit your teeth, pick up the telephone, you are halfway there. Someone at the other end will be only too pleased to make an appointment and put your mind at rest. After all, your fear and discomfort will be so much worse if you ignore any nasty signs so that they become reality. An early diagnosis can put a stop to all this.

Always remember that many cancers are now treatable especially if caught in the early stages, so make that phone call or go along to your doctor's surgery and whatever the outcome, you will get rid of that nasty anxiety of not knowing.

First, you need to know what exactly bowel cancer is. It is a disease of the large bowel (colon) or rectum. It is also sometimes called colorectal or colon cancer. It affects both men and women and is most common in people over 50 years of age.

So here are the important signs to take note of:-

• Bleeding from the bottom.
• Persistent changes in the bowel habit such as diarrhoea or loose stools.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• A lump in the tummy.
• Weight loss.
• Tiredness.
• Unexplained iron deficiency.

Now it is a known fact that people who read medical books or journals imagine, as a result, that they have all sorts of things wrong with them. However, any of the above should be given serious thought.

Before you become completely depressed, if you think you have bowel cancer symptoms, such as bleeding from the rectum, remember, you may be suffering from a polyps or cyst. If your bowel movements are irregular, you may simply have an irritable bowel. None of these things may be life threatening, but a word with your GP may reveal them to be treatable and if your worst suspicions are confirmed, then you will have caught the trouble early and given yourself a much better chance of a good outcome.

So please pick up the phone and put yourself on the road to knowing exactly what is wrong, if anything, and what the next step will be. You will feel happier to know where you stand and give the medical profession a chance to put things right which is what they all want to do.

Don't waste time grasp the nettle and if necessary, drag someone along with you which may give you the moral courage you need.

WE'RE NO FOOLS

Jeremy Corbyn MP

ANOTHER WAY IS POSSIBLE
1st April 2011 is the date and if you want to know more come and join us at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. at 2.30 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.
Jeremy Corbyn MP, John Cryer MP, Bob Crow (RMT) Mark Serwotka (PCS) A member of UK Uncut, are speakers and should make this meeting one of particular interest to the older generation.
Here is our chance to put questions, suggest solutions and responses to the recent events not only on the Home Front but also on an International level for, as we know, what happens out there also affects us here in the UK.
This is part of the continuing fight-back against this Con-Dem government in which we as pensioners, must play our part.
We need pensioners, retired trade union members, trade union branches and trades councils' representatives to come along and ensure our success.
As the year progresses and this government pursues its unscrupulous policies of cuts and punitive measures against the vulnerable and needy, we shall find that gatherings of this sort are invaluable weapons to secure some form of security for us all.

RALLY AGAINST THE CUTS

SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2011

Assemble at 11 am. on Victoria Embankment, between Temple Place and Blackfriars, TO MARCH TO A RALLY IN HYDE PARK.

Our chance to say NO to unfair and unnecessary spending cuts which will not affect the rich but will be catastrophic to the poorer section of our society, mainly the disabled, elderly and our youngsters desperately seeking employment.

LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, POST OFFICES, THE ROYAL MAIL, THE SALE OF OUR FORESTS, COUNCIL HOUSING AND LEGAL AID. All these, If not immediately affected are under review.

The CONDEM Government's vicious proposals verging on vindictiveness must be countered at all levels. This MARCH is our chance to demonstrate our anger and take an opportunity to condemn the injustice and unscrupulousness of this Government's punitive measures.

We must take every opportunity to oppose these proposals and now is the time before it is too late.

What we need right now are viable alternatives such as closing tax loopholes, the creation of more jobs and policies to create green growth.

This is a TUC organised event and comes at a time when everything we have worked for is now under threat.

TRAPPED WITHOUT MONEY

Several years ago, this organisation voiced its concern over the Government's plans to dispense with the Pension Book and replace it with cards.

Now the consequences of this inconsiderate move which we feared would follow, have transpired.

Havering Forum for the Over 50's listened to our local representative of the Advocacy Service provided by Age UK (formerly Age Concern), tell us how difficult this move by the Government has made life for many of the elderly living alone and unable to get out. These folk depend on helpers and carers for errands and contact with the outside world and more importantly for someone to collect their pension for them.

The replacement of pension books by cards is totally unfair and distressing to many.

Old Age Pensioners, because of their age, find it difficult and in many cases impossible, to remember Pin Numbers and yet the finance companies vehemently advise against those numbers being passed on to other persons.

Once upon a time a Pensioner could sign a pension book and a relative or carer would visit the Post Office and collect the Pension. Admittedly this method is open to theft or fraud but most people over sixty would be happy to take the risk and be assured that they could receive their weekly or monthly payment.

At present there are no agencies who will co-operate and accept Agents with cards collecting money for pensioners.

So an elderly person, is stuck at home, needing money but with no means of collecting what is rightfully theirs.

We were told that a helper found the only way round this problem was for the Pensioner to make out a cheque for the required amount in favour of the helper who would present this to a Bank, pick up the money and take it back to the Pensioner.

Now this is just as risky but is the only way an old person can be helped out of their predicament.

Now it transpires that there is a move by the Banks to do away with cheques.

This move would not only be difficult for pensioners but for the general public. The alternative would be for items to be purchased on line with the use of credit cards.

How many pensioners are able to use computers? How many own one? How many use credit cards? The danger with credit cards is that one can lose one's identity. That is, a crook can access your banking details via a computer and empty your bank account by typing in your bank account numbers, etc. Placing your details on a computer leaves you open to theft.

So it is most unfair and dangerous to expect pensioners to trust helpers with cheques or to use on-line banking.

The weak, elderly and disabled are experiencing deep anxiety and frustration just in order to obtain what is rightfully theirs. It is the Government's responsibility to ensure a pensioner can access their pensions and benefits without fear or obstruction and doing away with Pension Books and forcing the elderly to resort to remembering pin Numbers, the use of cards and on-line banking is creating fear and obstruction in a most unprincipled way.

NOTES TO REMEMBER

EDM Winter Fuel Allowance.

This is an Early Day Motion to protect our Fuel Allowance, so do please write to your MP and ask him to sign it. Although the Lib Dems promised they would not touch this, it is worth remembering that this Allowance and the Freedom Pass are now at risk since the Coalition appears to feel justified in breaking all promises made prior to the Election under the excuse that they have a massive deficit to deal with. If there had not been a "massive deficit", one wonders what their excuse would be. It looks as though the last Government unwittingly did them a favour!

If they do renege on these promises then one can only conclude that it is the hard-up, the elderly and the disabled who will be the victims or fall guys in this scenario - as ever. Does anything change? Its always the poor that pays isn't it!

Cutting benefits appears to be the first action to be taken to remedy a situation NOT OF THE PENSIONERS MAKING NOR THAT OF THE DISABLED AND NEEDY.

THE ROYAL MAIL
There is currently a petition to try and save the Royal Mail from privatisation. From press reports, it appears to be a done deal. Nevertheless you are asked to sign any petition protecting the Royal Mail, which comes your way.

Rallies, Petitions, EDMs are the only weapons we have to shout our cause unless we get lucky and the National Press jump in. So please come, sign and/or march. In today's political climate we need you and all the support you can give.

Pensioners Conference - 6th November 2010

Now more than ever we must make our anxieties known and shared with the Trades Unions. This is the annual event held at Somers Town Community Centre when we can speak, offer advice to those Union members not yet pensioners and urge them to use their powers to protect the elderly and disabled.

We have a number of speakers and hope to have our old friends from the Unions speak to us.

Our future is not so certain now we have a Government determined to make drastic cuts and so this is a good time to remind you all that the PENSION must NEVER be referred to as a benefit. It is a right and an entitlement which cannot be treated by tinkering and reducing, or worse, means testing. As such right, it can never be lumped together with other benefits making it vulnerable to the callous cuts now contemplated for other benefits.

Benefits may be subject to these cuts but the Pension should be immune to any tricks the Government wishes to perform with it. Make sure you correct anyone who refers to our Pension as a benefit. IT IS NOT.

NPC Rally - 27th October 2010

27th October. This is the date for the NPC Rally and Lobby. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

The programme is:

• 12 noon Protest at Old Palace Yard which is opposite the House of Commons.
• 1 p.m. rally at Methodist Central Hall
• 2 p.m. Lobby of MP's so write to your MP or MPs and see them to tell them about our problems.

Especially how the threatened cuts will affect Pensioners, in particular the Fuel Allowance and any encroachment in the future to the Freedom Pass.

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE OURSELVES KNOWN AND LOUDLY.

LOST VOTES

The most disturbing event which happened during the General Election was the fact that many people were denied their opportunity of recording their vote because the stations closed before those queueing were allowed access.

This has been quietly forgotten but should not be, indeed it is a most serious blunder made by civil servants and Council employees that many, many folk were unable to gain entrance to their local polling station before those stations closed in accordance with the prescribed closing time.

It would appear that the position borders on illegality. If members of this Country have presented themselves for the purpose of voting, then the station closes at the prescribed time before they can vote, something is seriously wrong. This cannot go unchallenged and the Government should now take steps to ensure that such an unjust sitation is never repeated.

Whether or not, people were inside the Station or still lining up outside is immaterial. The duty of the presiding polling authority is to ensure that all those wishing and eligible to vote were able to do so. It was patently not the fault of the voters concerned. They were there, they were able and they were willing to vote and by the way it makes a nonsense of the idea that those not voting should be fined or penalised. If that were the case then there would be several prosecutions awaiting judgement now.

John Cryer lost his seat for Hornchurch at the previous election by just 480 votes. Which party he supported is again, irrelevant. The glaring fact is that those 480 votes could have been those lost by closure of polling stations at the allotted time despite there being several hundred people lining up to gain entrance to a polling booth.

How many marginals may have had a different outcome? The question is not fantastic nor unrealistic and it seems fair comment to claim that true results cannot be construed as such if voters were denied the facility of recording their wishes. In these circumstances a true reflection of the electorate's wishes is just not possible.

It seems a reasonable request that those so denied should be offered a retrospective proxy vote in lieu of that lost by the authorities' mismanagement. It was NOT the fault of those waiting outside and certainly not the fault of those actually in the polling station that they couldn't vote. It is very important that this lapse be addressed and should never happen again. In other countries people are being killed in a struggle to obtain democracy by a free vote and our own history remembers the fight of the suffragettes to get votes for women so to lose this hardwon right over the inefficiency and bad planning by those in charge is not only contemptuously scandalous, it is unlawful. Being able to vote is a fundamental right.
Joan Grant

Elections

With the recent elections revealing how uncertain the electorate has been as to who should govern this country of ours, the usual statements about people using their votes come to the fore.

There is a strong feeling that everyone should use their vote, particularly when one considers that there was a time when the ordinary man did not have that privilege and that women too were denied the opportunity of choosing who should rule them until very recently.

Many suggest that those people not bothering to vote should be summonsed or pressured in some other way to use their ballot paper. Given the the circumstances mentioned above, this attitude is understandable but such a draconian measure appears to smack of an attack on the individual's right to remain outside politics for one reason or another.

It would seem a much more fairer idea for the voter to be given a chance to show that he feels there is no-one for whom he could offer his support. To this end perhaps the ballot paper could have a box at the bottom of the list of candidates'names for abstention. This would demonstrate the fact that if there had been a candidate worthy of a vote the abstainer would have elected him or her but that since the voter can see no-one worthy of consideration he displays this fact by abstaining. For instance if the candidates were Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot, quite clearly a conscientious elector would not favour any one of these. In this case, his cross in the abstention box would show his willingness to attend the polling station and vote but that there was no-one he considered fit to take a representative position in this country.

To summons someone for disinterest or being in a genuine dilemma is not the answer and would involve expensive and useless prosecution but allowing a voter to declare his wish to abstain allows the voter a declaration and carries a clear message to all candidates.

PENSONERS' PRE-ELECTON PUBLIC MEETING

On March 12th at St. Pancras Church Hall, Lancing Street opposite Euston Station off Eversholt Street, The Greater London Pensioner Association will be holding a public meeting.

PENSIONERS ASK

WHY VOTE? WHO FOR?

Come and join in the Public meeting to debate the issues concerning today's Pensioners

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
PENSIONS, TRANSPORT

The meeeting commences promptly at 1 p.m. until 3.30
Tea Coffee and biscuites available.

Come along so you know your voice will make a difference, not only to London Pensioners but to Pensioners all over the UK.

Guest Speakers are: Dot Gibson Secretary, National Pensioners Convention and John Lister - Health Emergency

Now is the chance to let those in power and prospective candidates know our grievances, anxieties and expectations. We have been treated shabbily. After ll years of Labour neglect and 18 of Tory disregard, we can at last tell these people what we think, want, look forward to and expect.

THE LIVERPOOL CARE PATHWAY

An horrific prospect looms for all those souls nearing death or very ill such that they need intensive hospital care. Care is the operative word here. Thanks to a local pensioner colleague in Romford and the local Romford Recorder this 'pathway' (according to aforesaid local newspaper) encourages medics to remove treatment, including fluids, food and medication from patients who are considered close to death.

What boundaries does this cross? What frightening doorways does this open?

This method, apparently, was originally devised for the use of a Liverpool Hospice which sought a peaceful conclusion to a terminally ill person's life who was suffering and in pain. A Hospice's prime function (although this aim often gets overlooked and is often erroneously regarded as a means of substituted hospital treatment), is that where there is no hope at all of recovery, the victim/patient should be made as comfortable as possible and at peace in their last days on this earth, thus being able to pass away with all dignity, care and love. It can never and should never be a MEANS TO CONCLUDE that life whether taking place in a Hospice or Hospital, Residential Home or Nursing establishment of any kind.

This is one step from the ultimate abuse. What happened to the Hippocratic oath? Anything which invades that patient's safety or security is a dangerous practice in itself. To withhold treatment which would prolong life is tantamount to murder. Let there be no mistake about this.

We are now in an area in which the anti-euthanasia people battle strongly. There are some things in life where you are either for or against and cannot sit on any easy fence. This is one of them.

Let us consider the position of a patient in circumstances fulfilling the criteria of the Liverpool Pathway and, which position is exactly that, for which an anti-euthanasia supporter is so justly aware of. The line between compassion and ulterior motive can become fuzzed up. Where the continued existence of a patient appears to be blocking the advantages which friends and relatives might gain from that person's death, then it is not difficult to imagine those potential beneficiaries urging the shutting down of life support, sustenance and other life giving provisions, and not only kidding the authorities that they urge this murderous procedure for the benefit of the patient, society and those directly responsible but worse, kid themselves that they urge this from the finest of motives they hold personally.

Encouraging death can never be right, moral or ethical. We must not go down this path. One step along this way and we become something so horrible, so akin to the worst scenario depicted in Wells, Orwell and other prophetic writers, that we change our perception of all that is precious on this earth. We become like those justifying nuclear warfare, chemical attack, biological bombs and ethnic cleansing such as that which dirtied this World in Bosnia, Nazi Germany and several African States. The Prayer: "God Protect me from Myself" becomes frighteningly apposite here. We must save our hospitals, hospices and other places of care from notions of helping others towards peace. They must be saved from themselves if this is indeed the path of all.

What about those not threatened in this way but in near death circumstances and who make a miraculous recovery; who rally when there was apparently no hope. To 'assist' a closure in this way is not mercy but a convenient shutting down, a deadly playing of God.

You and I may quite soon find ourselves in a hospital bed alone, on life support, being fed, washed and toileted, helpless in fact. We would need to be able to trust those around us for protection and security. We must never find ourselves in a place of dread and fear should this "method" become the official one, then society (that's you and me) has gone down a road to darkness.

JOAN GRANT

PRESCRIPTIONS

According to a letter printed in a Romford free paper, there will be new dispensing regulations from January 2010. Pharmacies, will apparently, be expected to replace a brand drug named on a prescription with one that is cheaper.

According to that correspondent, this is part of the Department of Health's 2009 pharmaceutical regulations scheme agreement.

Again. quoting from this letter, pharmacists will not have to consult the patient or the doctor who wrote the prescription. This, the NHS estimate will save £40m a year.

The correspondent goes on to outline the fact that there are many people for example, who suffer from serious heart conditions and who rely upon their prescribed drug to provide them with some quality of life. Without that drug, their condition would deteriorate.

The correspondent goes on:-"If a pharmacist decides on his own volition to change the prescription drug to one that is cheaper, how will he/she know whether or not it could create serious side effects that could prove detrimental to the patient's well being?"

The writer goes on to state that it is the doctor who should specify the patient's medication, not a pharmacist or a government economist. The government should think again.

We think most pensioners would be most grateful for the report above and agree entirely with the correspondent's fears.

Once again, we are faced with a Government apparently willing to save costs at the likely expense of the patient. This is a feature found in privatization schemes where costs become paramount above the safety and health of the patient.

We thank Mr. Cyril North most sincerely for voicing his very appropriate concerns.

This is a matter of which Pensioners should be made fully aware. The fact that a pensioner's health could be gambled with in this way must be fully recognised and challenged at all levels. A Pensioner's health is more delicate than that of a younger person and is much more vulnerable to change and therefore must not be placed at risk just because the Government wish to cut a few corners. Let the savings be applied elsewhere.

While on the subject of Prescriptions, pensioners may have found that their pharmacist appears to change the manufacturer of their regular pills. For instance blood pressure pills may be provided and coloured pink but the next month's prescription may contain pills of a different colour and size. This happens to the Writer quite often.

We feel that this is a bad practice since some elderly folk are often susceptible to change and become confused by seeing a tablet of a different colour or size.

We believe this practice stems from the fact that the chemist may have different arrangements with different suppliers.

So it is a good idea for patients to watch carefully the boxes and medications they receive from the chemists, and carers should also be wary on their charge's behalf and ensure that the same type of pill and dosage is being proffered.

Utilities, Expenses & Scams

This morning a young lady Community Police Officer called on me to discuss safety issues, so I invited her in, having first established she was genuine. Several matters came up and I mentioned my recent interview with ITN regarding British Gas Prices.

She told me that her Grandmother had been very upset over British Gas prices including termination fees. I had never heard of penalties being applied for termination with them. So it seems that if you wish to change your supplier, you should be aware of unforeseen charges.

I rang British Gas and although the advice was a bit more reassuring, there is indeed a cancellation fee for certain tariffs.

These are:- Fixed price Tariff: £70 for gas
.................“ ...... “ .....“.... £30 for electricity.

Price Protection Tariff : these vary between £30 - £45

These are for year 2010 since there is only the December quarter left for 2009 and there is no cancellation fee.

Track and save Tariff for 2010: the cancellation fee is £30 each for Gas or electricity

METER READING.

We are being advised by the Police and other agencies to be very careful before letting anyone in. It is NOT GOOD ENOUGH that they flash an identity tag or badge at you since they could manufacture or get these anywhere.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TO TELEPHONE YOUR GAS OR ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER and arrange a security word which is specific to you and which you can easily remember. Any caller from the utility concerned must then be able to tell you that word before you let him in.

The utility companies are very helpful in this respect and will happily make this arrangement for you.

SCAMS

At present in the London Borough of Havering we have a scam going on. One of our members happened to be with an elderly friend when there was a knock on the door and these two chaps said they were from the Water Board and practically pushed their way in. It was fortunate that my friend was in the house as she was able to challenge their claim that they were from the Water Board. She told them her son was a builder and had done plumbing and there was no way the Board would check in the way in which they were behaving. One tried to keep her talking while the other tried to get upstairs. It didn't work and they soon cleared off. There was coincidently some building work going on further up the road and it seemed they were trying to use that fact in order to convince the householder of their genuineness. One wonders what would have happened if my friend had not been there. As it was they must have been shocked and dismayed to find the proposed victim had company. I was told that one was Irish and the other had a middle European accent.

So friends be warned.

By the way the nice young lady Community Policeman wanted to take details from me which in the normal way I would have been quite happy to divulge but on my asking, she confirmed my details would go on a computer. Well, no way. Once on a computer it is very hard for you to get them taken off. So do ask what will happen to any information provided. It is quite likely all of us have our details on computers already but I see no reason for us to submit our private information to anyone, even if they are a Community Police Officers.

Be warned.

FREEDOM PASS -Update

At a recent meeting of the GLPA, we were informed by our Speaker, an Assembly Member of the Greater London Authority, that our information was wrong regarding the reserve power.

In order to clarify matters, we copy below an edited version of a letter received by one of our colleagues from his Member, (representing the London Borough of Brent), Mr. Navin Shah, which summarizes the history and details under which the Pass is and was issued:-

"....The Freedom Pass provides free travel for Londoners over 60. It started as free bus travel in 1973 which was extended to London Underground by the GLC in the 1980s. Following the abolition of the GLC the Freedom Pass became administered by London Councils (previously the Association of London Government), the umbrella organisation for London's 33 local authorities.London Councils is a politically represenative body whose make-up reflects the balance of power between parties across the London Boroughs.Following 2006 local elections London Councils is currently controlled by a conservative administration.

"Following establishment of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) in 2000 the Act of Parliament stated that TfL would make a contribution alongside the Boroughs. This Act also gave the Mayor the reserve power of arbitration should a stand-off between the Boroughs, or between the boroughs and TfL occur.The purpose of this was to guarantee the Freedom Pass as if one borough wished to opt out, it would not be able to.

"Ken Livingstone used this power repeatedly. Following a particularly fraught round of negotiations in 2007 Conservative members of the London Councils began to lobby against this power and some against the Freedom Pass itself. Cllr. Daniel Moylan (Kensington & Chelsea) accused the Mayor of "using the Freedom Pass as a stealth tax on Londoners" London Councils then lobbied strongly as England and Wales' Concessionary Bus Travel Bill was going through Parliament, sponsoring amendments that would have removed the reserve power codified in the Greater London Authority Act (1999). THE CURRENT MAYOR WHO WAS AN MP AT THE TIME, DID NOT VOTE ON THAT BILL.

"As candidate for Mayor of London,Boris Johnson promised "a new relationship with the boroughs" -and was lobbied strongly by some Conservative politicians in London - including members of the London Assembly to devolve powers to the boroughs. I am(Mr.Shah) of the belief this is a somewhat meaningless request. considering the powers of the Mayor are enshrined in an Act of Parliament. Any substantial devolution would require amendments in parliament.

"The Mayor has only weakened his powers in relation to the Boroughs in one respect- the Freedom Pass reserve Power. In February 2009 HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS AGREEING TO LONDON COUNCILS' WISHES BY PASSING THE POWER OF RESOLVING FREEMOM PASS DISPUTES TO AN INDEPENDENT ARBITER. THIS IS AGAINST THE WISHES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, who have stated the reserve power was designed to ensure the continued existence of the Freedom Pass. While an independent arbiter is a model suitable to industrial relations, the reserve power was given to the Mayor as it was felt such a power should be held by someone with democratic accountability.

"I have discussed the history of the politics of the Freedom Pass before the election of this Mayor as I believe it is also important to note that Boris Johnson appointed Cllr Moylan to the Board of TfL. It is therefore unsurprising Boris Johnson devolved the reserve power away from himself.

"I do not think the chances of negotiations going to the arbiter are reduced by the devolution of this power. As part of the negotiations, London Councils agreed that Transport for London's contribtions could be capped until 2015. Therefore any rise in costs before that date will have to be covered by borough contributions, and so the scope for disagreement is somewhat larger.ONE BOROUGH CAN STILL HOLD THE WHOLE OF LONDON TO RANSOM, AND THE MAYOR NOW CANNOT OVERRIDE THIS PROTEST. It should also be remembered that the Mayor has extended the Freedom Pass for 24 hour usage. While I welcome this move for the benefits it brings, it must be noted this will increase the COST PRESSURES ON BOROUGHS.

"I felt it important to discuss the background to this change as I feel this is not an isolated attempt to alter concessionary travel in London.Nevertheless, this is a matter between the boroughs at London Councils, rather than between London Councils and TfL.

"There has been general agreement at London Councils that a move towards actual usage was favourable and fair. Each authority's contribution has always theoretically been based on usage.The introduction of the Oyster Card system allows London Councils and TfL to gain a more realistic measure of 'usage'.

"There are winners and losers from this new arrangement. Theoretically, boroughs with large elderly populations, and where a large number of the over 60s cannot afford to drive, will see their contributions increase significantly. Boroughs with large elderly populations, but where the over 60s are more reliant on cars are likely to be the winners from the transition to this new arrangement.

"It has been claimed that this will benefit the outer London Boroughs at the expense of the inner. However, the results will be a bit more nuanced than this in that only the outer London Boroughs with a low level of TfL services will benefit, while others with a high level of public transport provision are likely to see increased bills. For example, it is predicted the London Borough of Bromley, which only benefits from bus and tram TfL services, will gain £4.4m through the new arrangement, while Brent will lose £2.5m.The Majority of inner London Boroughs will see increases, e.g. Haringey are set to lose £2.5m. In the long run,costs are likely to rise for all, as we have an ageing population. I consider this a long term threat to the will of boroughs to provide the Freedom Pass, and the benefits the Pass brings to London's over 60 population therefore must not be forgotten.

"While I accept there is an argument where areas with fewer TfL services should pay less, I am concerned at both this fractured approach to transport in London and the effects of the transferred costs to some of the most strained boroughs in London...................................

"I do remain deeply concerned that the Mayor has relinquished his power of guarantee, and the unlikelihood of any future Mayor clamouring it back. The London Labour Party has long been greatly concerned at the appearance of a concerted threat to the Freeom Pass, and it is determined to maintain concessionary travel in Greater London."

We are grateful to Mr. Shah for this detailed information and appreciate how much work has gone into producing it. We hope that if Mr. Shah reads this edited version of his account and advice, he is happy with it. We shall of course be pleased to make any amendments he deems fair.

BENEFITS/ENTITLEMENTS

The Headings below were kindly provided by the Pensions Service, a representative of which came along to Havering Retired Persons Association.

• PENSION CREDIT ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
• DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS
• SOCIAL FUND CARER'S ALLOWANCE
• HOUSING BENEFIT COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT
• BEREAVEMENT BENEFIT

SUPPORT FOR:

• DENTAL TREATMENT
• PRESCRIPTION CHARGES
• EYESIGHT TESTS
• AND OTHER NHS COSTS

It is worth checking with your local Pension Service and/or Age Concern to see whether you can be or are, without prejudice,entitled to any of the above items.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

We set out below the symptoms to be looked for and the following actions which should be taken.

THESE ARE PROVIDED FOR US BY THE NHS LINK serving the London Borough of Havering for which we are grateful.

Some of the signs are obviously self evident, nevertheless it is useful to bring these points to Pensioners' attention.

WATCH FOR:-

• feeling faint,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• headache,
• rapid heart beat,
• confusion,
• vomiting.

If you or someone else have the signs of heat exhaustion take the following actions:-

• Move out of the sun to a cool shady spot or air conditioned room,
• Lay the person down on their back and elevate their feet,
• Slightly loosen or remove clothing,
• Get the person to drink cold water (NOT ICED) to replace lost fluids,
• Monitor the person closely and if they show signs of confusion,
• fainting, or if they have a fever, call 999 to get medical assistance.

To speak to a NHS Direct Health Advisor, CALL 0845 4647

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT

At the recent LOPSG Participants' meeting (Seventh London Older People's Assembly) a suggestion from the Chair was made regarding this payment.

On further enquiry it transpired that many of the better off pensioners may be of the view that this payment should be means tested. The reason for this was that many recipients are now living in Spain and other countries where heating one's home in the winter months is not such a priority because the climate of these countries is such in winter that heating problems are generally precluded.

However, the GLPA is totally opposed to any form of means testing regarding these payments.

If any of the public feel that pensioners are benefiting from a payment which is not utterly necessary because of where they are domiciled, the GLPA believes that the Government can easily redress the situation with the imposition of tax. If an enquiry was put to residents abroad, which is surely ascertained when the Ministry of Pensions despatches or arranges payment, the location of the recipients would indicate whether or not such a payment is necessary. In this case perhaps an adjustment could be made.

The argument was put to the Writer that the Government could save money by withholding payments to residents abroad and this savings would, in turn, be ploughed back into the systems for the benefit of less well-off pensioners.

This idea seems to be pie in the sky, since there has yet to be an instance that any savings the Government makes on Pensioner Benefits is directly put into the system for the benefit of less well off pensioners, and identifiable.

The GLPA remains utterly opposed to means testing of any kind.

The fuel payment is the only benefit which is given to Pensioners without any form of means testing. The Freedom Pass is not completely national so this cannot be said to fall into the category of a non-means tested gratuity.

It smacks of betrayal when other Pensioners invite the Government to means test a benefit. One can only conclude that Pensioners of this mind, must be particularly well off.

CUTTING COSTS? THEN CANE THE PENSIONER

The Daily Express on Thursday 11th June gave a report that MIDDLE-CLASS pensioners should be taxed on their winter fuel allowance or even banned from claiming it altogether, MPs allegedly said on the 10th June. (Read the article here).

Isn't this typical? We have a banking crisis in which the Bankers, the very people responsible for the catastrophe, received millions of pounds in pay-offs. Worse, the Banks were bailed out to the tune of not, millions friends, not billions friends, but in some cases trillions of pounds.

Yet when we asked for the link with earnings to be restored, we were told that it was not affordable.

It is clear that the money was there and very affordable but not for the Pensioners.

It is MPs who have milked their own system (65% of them at least) in getting benefits by the most, in many cases, fraudulent means and yet MPs now say middle-class pensioners should be taxed on their fuel allowance. Perhaps our memories are at fault here, so forgive us for observing that it was the middle-class pensioners (the better off of the elderly in the UK) who had their pension funds raided or penalised by the Inland Revenue new tax laws.

It is the same old story, when in trouble hit the old. The old cannot hit back. The old cannot riot or protest very easily. IT IS TODAY'S OLD who have paid more than any other section of society. By virtue of their age it follows they have paid over a longer period and therefore have contributed more than any other section of our society. They have also fought and endured two world wars but this is of no account.

The fact that this nasty idea is levelled at the perhaps better off pensioner is totally irrelevant. Middle-class Pensioners feel the cold just like any other and have to pay for it.

It is an iniquitous idea, this of taxing the elderly and shows a total lack of honour but should we expect anything else from a house of representatives who fiddle and claim for non-existent mortgages, pornographic films and duck ponds. They have no real conception of the word. It is greed, pure greed, which appears to reign in the House of Commons. Honour does not come into it.

Jack Jones

Today is a very sad one for Pensioners nationwide. Last night, 21st April, this genuine and honest man passed away to what we hope will be a peaceful rest.

Jack Jones was a prime mover in the Pensioner movement and played a major role in the inception of the National Pensioners Convention. We are proud to say that Jack was a patron of this Association, the Greater London Pensioners Association.

His life was a dedication to the working man but more than this it was a dedication interwoven with compassion and decency and these qualities manifested, notably when taking up the issues and plight of Britain's pensioners.

He never stinted to use his voice and reputation on our behalf, although, like many great men, his innate honesty and uprightness often worked against him.

We understand he refused entry to the House of Lords because he wanted to keep his feet on the ground. He nevertheless maintained his goodwill and efforts and even though old age was making it more and more difficult, he still attended our rallies and marches when his failing health allowed. He supported us, he inspired us, he was a living example of what a public figure should be

So we thank this cheerful man who was our figurehead at all times. In the words of the song, which were his perennial wave of goodbye to us whenever we met, he kept right on to the end of the road.

We are sure there will be a light waiting for you. Farewell, Jack.

The Freedom Pass

A great number of voices have been raised over this Pass and the great fear was that Boris Johnson would do something to jeopardise its existence. Instead he has extended it to 24 hours, 7 days a week and we have in this blog advertised our gratitude and thanks. If our fears were unfounded then we are the first to admit it.

However, it appears to be a little known fact that Mr. Johnson has dropped the reserve scheme.

Most campaigning pensioners are aware that if certain Councils drop out of the Scheme, namely Westminster, Barnet, Bromley and possibly Havering, then the scheme will collapse and the Pass will be no more. This situation has been an ever-constant worry to the watchdog Pensioners. But our buffer to despair was the existence of the Reserve Power which, incidentally, last year was under threat from certain Lib Dem Lords.

Should the scheme collapse in this way, then Ken Livingstone had the reserve power brought into being so that a Pass of sorts could be substituted. It would not be so comprehensive and indeed may only cover bus routes, but it was a safety net for Pensioners.

One of the contributors to this blog was told that the scheme was based on usage because of the expense and we do not pretend to understand the ins and outs of this answer. What we do understand is that if finance is the pivotal point of the Pass's existence, then it certainly (in the present day financial crisis), is in jeopardy. It comes down as ever, to money.

The Pensioners get precious little but the Freedom Pass is their jewel in their somewhat tawdry crown.

The Pass enables movement, and thus averts dementia, boredom and depression. It enables pensioners to shop and spend, and their money is real cash, not airy-fairy credit card exchange, the very things which contributed to the current crisis and bankruptcy. So the pensioners moving about are the very folk who encourage commerce and keep the towns and boroughs alive and afloat.

So please all you good people out there get in touch with your Greater London Assembly Councillor, your local Councillors and your MP's voicing your concerns that should there be any chance of the scheme collapsing a RESERVE scheme WILL BE PUT IN PLACE to protect the one thing which is a breath of life to us, keeps us healthy and by so doing prevents us becoming a burden on the NHS.

Mr. Johnson please take note.

A footnote: We have been told that the sum allocated to Councils to assist them in their contributions to the Bus Pass is not ring-fenced and so (if this assertion is true) are able to raid it for their own purposes, not necessarily connected to Pensioners' travel. Correct us if we are wrong please.

Margaret Haywood

The registration of nurses is a condition which protects patients and ensures that only nurses registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council are allowed to practise. This condition guarantees a safe and reliable nursing profession.

The existence of this Council is to our great benefit and prevents the employment of unqualified and charlatan nurses who, without this safeguard, could otherwise endanger the health, and indeed the life, of those vulnerable and sick; particularly post operative patients and those in critical conditions.

However, in the case of Margaret Haywood whose recent actions of whistleblowing and allowing a TV programme, namely Panorama, to film the dire conditions of apparent neglect of elderly patients in care homes, it would appear that the Council has acted AGAINST the interests of those whom it should be protecting.

There is a fine line here between someone breaking a disciplinary code out of mischievousness, neglect or malice, and one flouting the rules because their conscience and concern for those patients in their care demand that they do so. Margaret Haywood quite clearly had the welfare and well-being of her patients at heart and it was a brave action on her part to put her own job at risk.

Technically, she may have been wrong, and, in the view of the Council, guilty of misconduct but surely this is a case where a discretionary and compassionate caution should have been applied.

How many people must suffer and in the case of the elderly sick, in fear and loneliness before anyone raises a hand to help them.

The Council have displayed a great lack of intelligence in their unrelenting attitude. Hamfistedness is a term which springs to mind. This is one instance where the Council should have initiated some investigation so that the well-being of patients is paramount; where a liberal and benevolent conclusion should have been reached, not solely governed by the code which was in place originally to protect those unable to protect themselves.

Margaret Haywood deserves to be reinstated and the Council will be doing themselves a great favour by acting to redress the great wrong they have committed. Patients must come first not codes, in this case thoroughly misapplied.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is at Camden Town Hall on Friday 3st July 2009 2009. Our
May meeting was due to hear a representative from TFL. Do come along, listen and air your views. See you then. See our latest item on the Freedom Pass.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009

This is scheduled for Saturday 18th April at Somers Town Community Centre 150 Ossulston Street, Kings Cross, London NW1 1EE commencing at 10.30 a.m. with registration at 10.00 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Nominations and Motions no later than 7th April please.

This is the most important meeting of the year so try and make it if you can.

Pensioners' Parliament

The 17th National Pensioners' Parliament is scheduled for 2nd to 4th June (inclusive) 2009 and will be held at Blackpool, Winter Gardens.

The programme includes "Question Time" with Prof Alan Walker (Chair), Nigel Waterson (Con), Rosie Winterton (Lab), Paul Rowen (Lib Dem) and Joe Harris (NPC).

Debates for Wednesday cover 'Age Equality', 'Pensioners and the General Election' and 'Understanding Local Area Agreements'. Also scheduled for Wednesday is a discussion on 'Dignity in Care' - Holding NHS to account and the role of Links, Pensioners and the economy.

After close of sessions at 7pm. there is social evening with The Bachelors.

Workshops on Thursday include 'Building Pensioner Movement', the ongoing campaign for free travel and working with the media.  Speeches are from: Sir Michael Parkinson (Care Ambassador), Rodney Bickerstaffe and Sarah Stone (Deputy Commissioner for Older People in Wales).

Get in touch with your local organisation and/or the NPC.   The GLPA office is always ready to help with details.

Keep the Post Public

Do you want the Royal Mail privatised?

If not, sign our petition organised by:

  

   CWU London District Council 

   34/41 Dallington Street 

   London EC1V OBB

Find out more and sign the petition online  at http://post.cwu.org/page/s/notforsale.

It may be April Fools but we're No Fools

The British Pensioners Trade Unions Association Action Day has been organised for April lst  under the banner of:

      "WE'RE NO FOOLS!"

Let the GLPA know what action your organisation is taking by use of our contacts on the right or by making a comment here.

CAN WE BE CHOOSERS?

An NHS nurse has apparently found herself in trouble for offering to say a prayer for one of her patients.

What are we coming to? We feel certain that if a nurse volunteered to pray for us we'd be jolly glad.  It wouldn't matter if the nurse was Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Chinese, Buddhist or Hindu, or of any other belief for that matter. Surely if someone offers to pray for you, it should be accepted in the kind manner in which it was made.

A Peer's Claims & a Pensioner's Income - Taste the Difference!!!

We set out below an item published by the Daily Express on Wednesday 26th January:-

"£400,000 EXPENSES FOR PEER

A PEER who allegedly offered to bend laws in return for large amounts of cash has claimed nearly £400,000 of taxpayers' money in expenses.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn took the cash between 2001 and 2008, claiming nearly £168,000 for overnight stays at up to £165.50 a night.

He also claimed nearly £72,000 for day subsistence to cover meals and cab fares at up to £82.50 a day. His main travel bill totalled £70,500 including £9,722 in 2006-07 for flights.

He is one of four Labour peers who deny operating a cash-for-influence racket at the Lords.

A tape has him saying that he could earn up to £100,000 a year from working for companies. Justice Secretary Jack Straw was criticised by sleaze watchdogs for delaying declaring a £3,000 donation from an energy firm, made via Taylor."

A WEEKLY PENSION NOW STANDS AT APPROXIMATELY £97 PER WEEK.

NEED WE SAY MORE?

POST OFFICES

There is much distress being suffered by Pensioners throughout the country and this distress is not limited to Pensioners only; Mothers with benefits, the unemployed and Health Benefits are very much affected by the closure of Local and Main Post offices. Many old folk are having to travel miles to collect their pensions or arrange transport by car particularly where public transport does not operate at all as in most rural communities.

This is a callous disregard of the needs of the elderly and flies in the face of all government protestations of its concern that Pensioners should not suffer. They ARE suffering.

The Pension payout system has worked successfully for years but like so many other aspects and services of the Post Office has been re-jigged to suit the motives and agenda of Westminster.

Paying your TV licence or other bills is now being done through PAY POINTS. What is not generally known is that PAYPOINT is actually a private company- American. This is just another example of privatization being secretly ushered in. It seems quite clear that the Post Office is being deprived of its ability to serve the public on many fronts and this will of course, eventually result in this Institution's complete failure. The cry will be that it is no longer viable. If it is not a viable concern, then this is only because there has been a systematic run-down of its ability to function, and this run-down has been initiated, it seems, by the Government.

LONG LIVE THE POST OFFICE. LONG LIVE THE SUB-POST OFFICE
(Picture of anti-closure campaigner in the Potteries area)

THE GREATER LONDON PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Remember that the GLPA Newsletter is the GLPA'S main publication. So if you see anything here and would like to read more details, related articles and comments can always be found in our Newsletter which comes out once a month price 70p. Any articles, letters, comments and suggestions you have will be welcomed at the GLPA Office at Interchange Studios, Hamptsead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QP when our editoral committee will happily consider them for publication. We need you and your views! If you wish to contact us via e-mail the address is:- glpa@capital5.freeserve.co.uk. Telephone number : 0207 209 3984

A PENSIONER'S RIGHT

Remember a pension is a RIGHT and not a benefit. It is earned and paid for by Pensioners themselves and is an entitlement - it must never be regarded as a benefit. Some agencies are beginning to use the term 'benefit' erroneously and this should never be allowed. A Pension is a right, not a benefit.

UPDATE: !!!!
This week's "You and Yours" on BBC 4 illustrated how important it is to maintain that the Pension is a Right as opposed to a Benefit. One listener described how when applying for carers allowance, his Pension was taken into consideraton -unfavourably for him- as a benefit, so his total benefits erroneously included his pension as being a benefit when in fact it is not. A Pension should NOT be taken into consideration when assessing allowances. This is a right, it is inalienable and its inclusion in any calculations for assessment is totally wrong.

We at the GLPA hereby call upon Help the Aged, Age Concern, The National Pensioners Convention and The Greater London Forum for the Elderly to strenuously resist the Government classifying a Pension as a benefit when assessing the granting of allowances for carers. We also ask that all Pensioners reading this update write to their MP's objecting to this unjust classification. Pensions must be regarded as income other than benefits. Only by the exclusion of a pension as a benefit can a fair assessment be made.

THANKS

In this month of November, we shall have the usual Remembrance Ceremonies, remembering those who lost their lives or just as importantly, their health.

Now there are probably a lot of Pensioners who are pacifists at heart, indeed probably conscientious objectors. One cannot quarrel with a sincerely held view that to fight is morally wrong. Equally, it is as well to remember that those who have gone to fight have done so because they sincerely believe that that is the best way to protect their fellow countrymen and the country itself.

There are of course, many reasons why a young man (or, nowadays, woman) joins up. Often, because the prospects offer a career or skill which in civilian life may be expensive or difficult to come by so a career in one of the forces seems a good solution. One GLPA member (now sadly passed away) always said that the first overcoat he possessed was that issued by the Navy! One must acknowledge that a regular soldier or any other serviceman who joined up, is or was at least looking for an honest paying occupation. I know that in the 20's this was the reason why two of my uncles joined the navy. It offered a regular wage and good training.

So when any serviceman suffers horrific injuries, the country should recognize that a real sacrifice has been made and should show its gratitude in a decent honourable manner. We should not turn our backs on these young men, no matter what motives or career advancement or ideals (mistaken or otherwise) they had but went forward with courage and an expectation of a severely disciplined life. The majority of these do, what all of us do, their best.

So what happens to them when the worst happens? How are they looked after? I quote from a National Newspaper on the treatment of a young soldier. I will forego the hype of "hero" or "Victim" but merely repeat the information provided in the report.

"....was hit by two rocket propelled grenades a fortnight after turning 18. The blast cost the soldier.....the use of his left leg, wrecked his right hand and caused horrendous internal damage.

He caught MRSA twice and C. DIFF at a UK hospital and has to walk with a stick. However....he had been told he was not disabled enough to receive council tax disability benefit."

Does this surprise you? Perhaps it is wrong to use his plight as an illustration of how this State treats its vulnerable and needy for is his treatment not typical of the treatment meted out to many servicemen and worse, to the servicemen of the previous two World Wars?

Parades are alright and it is fitting that we should set aside a day and ceremonies for those men and women who gave their lives and good health for us, but it is not enough. If someone got badly hurt protecting me, I'd not be able to rest if I didn't do something to help that person afterwards.

The Ghurkas have been treated shamefully, and so have the Japanese Prisoners of War. Likewise, the miners and Merchant Navy victims were left to manage their problems on their own.

So we Pensioners should not really be surprised that our pensions are now worth less than they were in 1908.

England expects! Well so far as the horrifically wounded and maimed are concerned, we expected and we got, so we should go all out to see that these brave men are never ever neglected just as honest pensioners should never be neglected. Lets remember it is the money which the pensioners and others of this country had taken in taxes which provided the arms and slush funds, and this same money should cushion the pensioners against poverty and provide assistance for the wounded ex-servicemen and women. If we don't honour our debts properly, there may never be a volunteer to ignore in the future. We should always remember to say thanks.

JOAN GRANT.

BE (a)WARE

1. People needing care should make sure of their situation if employing a female carer. That is, paying for the services of a woman; for if your carer should happily (for her) fall pregnant, we understand that the employer could become liable for payment of maternity benefit. While we have no certain information (at present) on this point, we do feel that vulnerable pensioners should check the position before arranging for paid care. Find out and be (a)ware!

2. When applying for benefit of any kind, whether it be for maternity, disabled, attendance allowance or Council Tax or Housing benefit, it is worth noting that information stored in a computer can be subject to hacking or downloading by unscrupulous employees. Once this information is placed on a computer it is very hard to have it removed and/or deleted. So be aware that all your personal, private and financial details will have to be entered and are targets for downloading by fraudsters and other lawbreakers, and this applies particularly where identity fraud could be a potential hazard. Generally speaking your information is secure but the unexpected can happen so think carefully before disclosing your personal information to corporate bodies. Be(a)ware!
3. 
   
   
   UPDATE!!!THE PENSION STATUS OF A SINGLE LADY MARRYING - UPDATE!!!!! On checking with the Department for Work and Pensions, apparently a lady does not lose her single pension when marrying. The single pension is fixed and cannot be altered. However, if on marriage her pension does not amount to 60% of the joint income then she may be entitled to an increase so please ladies, check this out for yourselves to be quite sure of your rights. Indeed, it is worth a further check on your position if you then become a divorcee or widow. What do you gain? What do you lose? Be aware!

We have further learned that if when retirement arrives you are given the option of having your pension paid monthly or weekly, it is better to opt for a monthly payment because if you opt for a weekly payment and retire say on a Tuesday, then you lose that week's money until the Monday comes round when weekly pensions are paid. Several people have lost money this way. However when you pass away, if you die in the middle of the week then you benefit from the previous Monday. Again, check this out in case we have misunderstood the information the Department has passed on to us.

KNOW YOUR FACTS!

THE NHS -- WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

Hospital beds are currently being cut back at an alarming rate, comparable to the Thatcher onslaught in the 80s.

Over 7% of emergency and acute short stay beds have disappeared in the last 2 years, and long stay specialist beds, particularly needed by the elderly, which have been in short supply for many years, have had further cuts amounting to over 20% loss in four years.

The cuts have not been evenly made and some areas have fared worse than others; London has been particularly targeted and has lost 11% of acute beds and 37% of long term and elderly care beds in the last six years. Mental Health and maternity beds have also had severe cuts.

As pensioners, the disabled and poorer families struggle to pay their heating and fuel bills, the likelihood of hospital admissions due to cold related illnesses this winter increases, but the Government seems to have its fingers crossed for a very mild winter (with snow in October?)!!!

The streamlining of hospitals and services is all part of the unspoken intention to make the NHS attractive to the private sector, hospitals are now run like a private business with talk of accumulating surpluses! This does not provide a more accessible service in spite of the platitudes of managers and politicians. The private sector cherry picks the easier conditions and treatments of the less complicated surgery, but chronic illness, major surgery and emergencies plus all the complications will still be left to the NHS. The Private Treatment Centres already operating to much applause because of the lack of waiting are undercutting the NHS and taking money and staff from the NHS. The Private Finance Initiative built hospitals and services which present the private sector with rich pickings for many years with very little risk, is destabilising the monetary control of the NHS hospitals, some of which will be downgraded, some will close, others will be handed over for the privateers to manage. Scrutiny of what is going on apace all over London and the South is difficult,- no elected representatives,no community health councils.

The Primary Care Trusts are not amenable to community pressure, the members being more afraid of the loss of their own positions and salaries if they do not toe the line as set down by Ministers; however, persistent pressure and campaigners can and does have an effect in some cases, and there is also a body unpublicised and little known called the OVERSIGHT & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE" who should be approached by campaigning groups who are trying to save hospitals and services and are underwhelmed and suspicious of alterations in community provision.

Contributed by BETTY COTTINGHAM (GLPA)

THE RALLY

Many of you will have come to and supported our Rally. Many of us feel that we could have been treated a lot better by the police and authorities.

The march was banned and the Green in Parliament Square was barricaded off effectively keeping pensioners from meeting and speaking publicly.

However, we had some good speakers inside the Methodist Central Hall and inside Westminster Hall met several MP's who did at least have the good grace to come and meet us. So our thanks for all of you for coming along on a cold but bright day and rallying to our flag. We will keep you posted as to our next action.

BANNER PICKETS.

The next picket is Thursday 19th February at ll a.m. until 12 noon. Come along and remind those in Parliament we are still around and waiting for some fair treatment.

If the weather is bad stay home and keep warm.

The Banking Crisis and Us

So far as we pensioners are concerned not many of us have much in the way of funds to make us apprehensive of what will happen to them.

However, what has been shown is that Private, Occupational and Pensions other than the State Pension, are very vulnerable to fluctuations in the market economy and the economies worldwide.

We have seen Pensioners not only robbed of their expections but those expectations diminish as private pension funds are raided, reduced or abandoned altogether, as is happening with many final salary schemes.

So these tragedies for many pensioners underline how important it is for us to campaign for a strong guaranteed and satisfactory STATE pension, one underwritten by all Governments of whatever colour. Many feel that to pursue private pensions undermines the call for a decent state pension. However, many people, particularly widows and single women find themselves almost seduced by the offer of a private pension to supplement that offered by the State. If the State Pension was a sensible amount (payable equally to both sexes) and not, as is the case today, a derisory one, nobody would feel the need for a private or occupational pension. Whilst seeming to offer some form of security, they are in fact unpredictable and unreliable when markets crash. So let us all call and agitate for a decent income in our old age, one we deserve, have worked for and in all honour should have. The ghurkas had to fight for their pensions and the right to stay here. Like us, they should never have had to.

Centenary play

A word drama outlining the events leading to the grant of a National Pension has been created by members of the GLPA and will be presented to various groups and affiliates on request. Interested? Let us know.