LABOUR’S BETTER PLAN FOR OLDER PEOPLE

THE Tory plan is failing older people.  Pensioners’ living standards have been hit hard by the Tories and their Lib Dem collaborators.  

This government’s refusal to act against rip-off energy bills, their decision to slash social care funding and their changes to pension rules have diminished living standards for pensioners.

Typical energy bills have risen by £300 a year since David Cameron became Prime Minister.  Nearly one in ten older households now face fuel poverty and delayed action to ban rip-off pension fees has left savers worse off.  Cuts to elderly care have sent more older people to A&E with unnecessary hospital admissions, making it harder for them to get the care they need at home.

With all the damage the Tories have already inflicted on us, they still want to go even further by cutting public spending to a level not seen since the 1930s before there was an NHS.

Older people who I have spoken to say they are tired of being let down by the Tories.  Labour knows the importance of ensuring those who have worked all their lives can retire with dignity.  That’s why Labour’s plan for pensioners and older people is essential.

Labour will protect the ‘triple lock’ that ensures pensioners’ incomes keep pace with the cost of living.  Although Ed Balls has said he will restrict Winter Fuel Payments from the richest five per cent of pensioners to help pay down the deficit, Labour will guarantee that there will be no further changes to Winter Fuel Payments.  Furthermore, we are guaranteeing that universal free TV licenses and bus passes for pensioners will be protected by a Labour government.

We will help pensioners struggling with energy bills by capping gas and electricity prices until 2017. We’ll also offer free efficiency improvements to at least 200,000 households at risk of fuel poverty.

We’ll give people freedom over how to spend their pension savings, but ensure they are protected from rip-offs.  This will be achieved by introducing a cap on fees and charges for new pension products that allow people to draw-down on their savings so they get the same protection when they take their money out as when they put it in.

And we will improve social care to keep people safe and healthy at home.  We’ll end the scandalous culture of 15 minute care slots for some of the most vulnerable older people by bringing in 5,000 new homecare workers.

Older people can’t afford five more years under the Tories.  Labour has a better plan to protect pensioners’ incomes, safeguard savings, keep homes warm and invest in our NHS with more doctors and nurses so they have time to care.