Lib Dems renew pension calls (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dems renew pension calls

August 8, 2001 12:00 AM

The Lib Dems have today supported a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research which has criticised the Governmentís pension and long term care policy. It describes pensions policy as, 'a muddle, unravelling and something needs to be done about it and needs to be done quickly' and questions whether the new stakeholder pensions are reaching their target group. Sacked former Social Security Minister Frank Field has said it was obvious from the start that the Governmentís plans would not work. Cllr Margot Dunn, the Deputy Mayor of the Council said: This report provides further evidence of the Governmentís failure to address the problem of pensioner poverty, both now and in the future. The Stakeholder pension scheme is clearly failing - and it is pensioners that are loosing out." The Lib Dems have called on New Labour to act now to introduce a degree of compulsion into the provision of second pensions, otherwise take-up will continue to remain worryingly low. Keith Sharp, who campaigned on a fair deal for pensioners during the election said: "'The report underlines the consensus view that the Governmentís policy on long-term care in England and Wales is unfair, untenable and unworkable. The Westminster Government must follow where their Scottish counterparts have already led and re-examine the benefits of providing free-personal care for all.'"