LETTER: New attacks on pension rise

The National Pensioner’s Convention is shocked by new attacks on the government’s decision to reinstate the state pension triple lock rise next April.
A recent report shows pensioner poverty is rocketing to well above 2 million, the UK’s largest older people’s campaign group says it’s shameful that so many are criticising the increase, which may see state pensions legitimately rising by ten per cent in 2023.
The NPC calls out the shameful ‘ageism’ of those attacking the proposed state pension triple lock increase. Especially as last September, the Chancellor froze the triple lock, a government commitment to raise the value of the state pension every tax year by the higher of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5 per cent to 3.1 per cent, just as UK inflation hit 9.1 per cent.
Jan Short, General Secretary of the NPC, said: “Our members have been struggling more than most with brutal food and fuel increases, so we have been shocked by the number of attacks reported in the media on the decision to reinstate the triple lock for pensioners”.
Sadly, this just shows how little people understand the UK state system, one of the poorest in the western world and the current plight of millions of our oldest and most vulnerable who have just spent a winter choosing between eating or heating their homes.
The NPC totally supports the call for all workers to receive a pay increase in line with inflation during this cost of living crisis.
All of us grow old and not all of us are wealthy pensioners, that accolade fits around 600,000 pensioners out of more than 12 million retirees.
Most of us struggle to get by on what is the most inadequate pension in the industrial world, propped up by means-tested benefits which means pensioners who have worked and contributed all their working lives are somehow seen to be getting something for nothing.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have an occupational pension, indeed, we know that one in three of those in their mid 50s now, will solely rely on the state pension when they retire.
The GS added that even a ten per cent rise will still leave the majority of our pensioners living on an income less than half the living wage.
It is a well researched fact that older people spend a larger proportion of their income on essentials like energy and food compared to other households.
The NPC believes that everyone deserves an income increase that matches inflation.
However, it is disappointing for some sections of the media to encourage such overt ageism towards the older generation, it’s completely unnecessary.
Let us not forget, pensioners were workers once and workers now are the pensioners of the future.
The NPC stands for dignity in retirement now and in the future.

Rodney Sadd
supporter of the National Pensioners Convention
Crowland