8,000 Islington Pensioners would get £100 a month boost from Lib Dem Pension Plans

4.58.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Apr 2005

The Liberal Democrats have launched the most generous package for older people on offer from any major political party. Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Charles Kennedy came to Hawberry Lodge in Islington to meet local pensioners and discuss his policies for older people.

Among other proposals in the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for Older People, nearly 8,000 pensioners in Islington aged over 75 will get more than £100 a month extra on their pension, or more than £140 a month for a pensioner couple.

Islington South and Finsbury Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Bridget Fox welcomed the plans, saying:

"It's time that older people 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.

"Our proposals will lift the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty and tackle the scandal where so many women pensioners are not entitled to a basic pension in their own right.

"Our plans to scrap Council Tax will benefit eight million pensioners, with six million paying no local tax at all. Pensioners would save far more than under the Conservatives' rebate proposal.

"And it is wrong that many elderly people are forced to sell their homes to pay for their care. We will bring in free long-term personal care for the elderly.

"Neither of the other parties are offering any of these policies. This will be by far the best deal on offer to pensioners from any party at the coming general election.

"The Liberal Democrat message to older citizens is: we understand our debt to you. We have the policies that will deliver you a fair deal in your retirement."