PENSIONERS CONVENTION REINFORCE SNP's PENSION POLICY

Speaking before a debate on pensions in the House of Commons today (Tuesday) where Mike Weir MP, SNP Shadow Pensions Minister, will re-iterate the SNP's policy of a Citizens Pension to address the many problems of hardship and poverty suffered by today's pensioners.

This policy reflects that of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) who have criticised the Government for failing to address the needs of today's pensioners in their White Paper. Mr Weir has also tabled an amendment to today's debate calling for the introduction of a Citizens Pension as soon as possible.

Commenting Mr Weir said:

"The policy paper by the National Pensioners Convention reflects the SNP's position on addressing the needs of today's pensioners and the problems they are suffering.

"Unfortunately the other parties are failing to address these current needs and the SNP has been the only party strongly advocating a Citizens Pension in the House of Commons.

"If we are to grasp the opportunity to tackle the problem of pensions we need to commit to introducing a full Citizens Pension for every pensioner.

"This would lift all pensioners out of poverty now and provide a solid foundation for personal savings towards the future. This one act would do more than anything else to return confidence to the pensions system.

"However I fear that in today's debate it is likely that we will see more sterile talk of future proposals but nothing about today's pensioners' needs.

"The present government have set their faces against radical reform of the present unfair system of tax relief. If this was tackled then we could afford the introduction of a fair Citizens Pension, without
increasing the current retirement age.

"We desperately need a bold vision on pension reform. It is not being provided by Labour."