Treat pensioners fairly all year round, says Bridget

1.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Oct 2008

Bridget Fox with local pensioners Rita & Dolores: older people deserve fairer treatment all year round

On international Older People's Day (1st October), Liberal Democrat shadow MP Bridget Fox says that honouring pensioners is welcome, but older people need fair treatment all year round.

A hundred years ago, the Liberal government introduced the first state pension. But since then it's been undermined. First the Conservatives broke the link with earnings; then Labour broke the promise to to let women pensioners catch up on years of missed earnings.

Bridget says "It's shameful that women and carers, who take time out of earning for themselves to care for others, get penalised by Labour's pension rules. It's time for a fairer deal on pensions."

Liberal Democrats celebrated the centenary of the old age pension by unveiling plans for pension reform. These include restoring the link with earnings; a citizen's pension based on residency not just contributions; and the end of mass means-testing of pensioners. Liberal Democrats would also abolish the unfair council tax.

Bridget says, "The Labour Government talks about fairness, but treats pensioners with savings unfairly. It's only fair to let people get the full benefits of the extra savings they've made."