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Call for support from MSPs on winter fuel allowance fiasco
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, will be demonstrating outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 26th September 2024 from 11AM to mark UN International Day of Older Persons.
This year’s theme is Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support for Older Persons and demonstrators, campaigners and affiliates will be making their voices heard over the Labour Government’s decision to means test the winter fuel allowance and will be asking for cross party support from MSPs to ensure that many older people in Scotland, and indeed across the UK, won’t be suffering unnecessarily this winter as a consequence of this.
Rose Jackson, Chairperson of the organisation remarked:
“We have been demonstrating outside the Scottish Parliament to mark UN Day for 10 years now but none have been quite as relevant as our demonstration today.
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Pensioners slam attack on universal benefits by Labour government
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has today slammed the decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to limit the payment of the winter fuel allowance to those in receipt of pension credit, or other means tested benefits.
Rose Jackson, SPF Chair fumed:
“Right off the mark, it’s no surprise that pensioners are being targeted yet again, being stripped of what they have worked for and are entitled to.
“Too many older people, 4 in 10, don’t apply for pension credit, due in part to the complicated system and the indignity surrounding it, but politicians know these figures but continue to exploit this no end.
Campaigning Pensioners set out Demands for a Fairer Future
The Scottish Pensioners Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, have today launched their General Election manifesto calling for an end to intergenerational inequality and highlighting their hopes for a more socially just future for all.
Rose Jackson, SPF Chair stated:
“From the beginning of their campaigns, we have heard politicians arguing over who will win the so called “grey vote” and this just speaks volumes. The terminology itself is defamatory and ageist so how can we realistically believe any of them have our best interests at heart?
Campaigning Pensioners Challenge Dangerously Ignorant Increase To Energy Price Cap
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, has today called the increase to the energy price cap “dangerously ignorant” and will leave many of the most vulnerable in society struggling to cope this winter.
Reacting to today’s energy price cap announcement, Rose Jackson SPF Chair argued:
“While yesterday the SPF welcomed the news that the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement pledged to honour the triple lock and will be uprating the Basic State Pension from next April, today’s price cap announcement means that many older and vulnerable people will still be facing a very bleak winter.
Call for the reinstatement of an older people’s minister for Scotland
The theme of this year’s conference is “Coming out of Covid – What’s Changed?” and the conference will examine how older people have been affected by lockdown and the changes taking place in society in its aftermath, particularly in terms of their health and wellbeing.
Rose Jackson, SPF Chair remarked:
“The past few years have had a serious detrimental impact on older people across Scotland, both in urban and rural areas, and the closure of so many essential services has meant social isolation and loneliness figures have gone through the roof. From the closure of community hubs, libraries and other communal social areas, the decline in community transport as well as access to health services, is it any wonder that so many older people have just about given up?”
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