§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
What reply has been given in each case to the demands of the National Pensioners' Convention, including the following:
- (a) that the old-age pension should be not less than one-half of average gross earnings for a married couple and not less than one-third for a single person;
- (b) that pensioners should receive a full range of social services, including home helps, meals on wheels, chiropody, television and telephone;
- (c) that there should be national concessions on all public transport;
- (d) that pensioners should receive heating allowances;
- (e) that pensioners should receive a Christmas bonus of £20;
- (f) that there should be an adequate death grant.
§ Lord Cullen of AshbourneThe Government are determined to do the best they can for pensioners, within the limits of what the country can afford. As to the detailed points mentioned—
- (a) to implement this demand would be prohibitively costly. Pensions of this level could be achieved only over a period of time. For people on average earnings contributing to the new pensions scheme, this will be achieved when the scheme matures.
- (b) The level of provision of social services is a matter for individual local authorities to determine. But the Government expect authorities to give priority to the development of services both statutory and voluntary for the needs as locally assessed for certain priority groups. These include elderly people, especially the most vulnerable and frail.
- (c) The Government consider the travel concessions are not necessarily the best use of limited resources and believe that their introduction should be a matter for local discretion.
- (d) Government help with fuel costs is directed to those in greatest need and is already above £200 million a year.
- (e) A Christmas bonus of £10 is as much as we can afford at present.
- (f) The whole question of death grant is at present under review and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.