IT’S TIME FOR A CITIZEN’S PENSION TO TACKLE PENSIONER POVERTY

Mike Weir MP, SNP spokesperson for Work & Pensions today (Wednesday) addressed the National Pensioners convention Rally prior to the mass lobby of Parliament.

Speaking at the rally, Mr Weir said that a citizen’s pension proposed by the SNP is the best way to tackle poverty amongst pensioners.  

“The SNP are fully behind demands for a fair basic pension.  We’ve pioneered the idea of citizen’s pension which would be the amount of the basic state pension together with full pension credit.

“The current state pension is totally inadequate, the government themselves have recognised this but they lack the will to tackle the situation.  There is absolutely no reason why a citizen’s pension could not be introduced now: the only thing lacking is the political will of this worn out government.

“There is also a rise in pensioner poverty following massive increases in energy prices over the last year.  We are entering the expensive winter quarter where many pensioners are increasingly worried about how they will heat their homes.

“All pensioners face paying increased prices yet the winter fuel allowance has not been increased to take this into account.