LETTERS – Budget disappoints the oldest

As Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioner’s Convention points out, the recent Budget disappoints as it ignores the oldest struggling to pay bills and in need of vital care.

The Budget was hugely disappointing for millions of older people who are still struggling to meet rocketing bills with an inadequate state pension.

The Chancellor started his speech by saying the government was providing a ‘safety net for older people’ but you would be hard pressed to find it in the detail.

While higher earners will benefit from the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance [LTA], in reality this only helps a very small number of savers – 90 per cent of the population will not even have enough to retire on, let alone put huge sums of money into a pension.

Whilst the government has extended energy support for another three months, there is little understanding that most older people use their heating more during the year because their homes are damp and cold.

It is also shocking that the Budget had no firm or clear resolution to the crisis in care services.

Older people are being denied the help they need just to survive every day.

They are dying through lack of access to appointments and treatments.

We believe there is no commitment by this government to properly invest in care provision even though they know it is right to do so.

The focus on getting those over 50 back into work needs much more than ‘boot camp’ skills training. It needs the government to confront employers about their ageist attitude to employing older people.

There is no recognition of, or value given to the skills, knowledge, experience, or work ethic that older people bring to the world of work.

Older people still in work must be treated with respect and dignity, particularly if they suffer ill health.

Unfortunately, while this Budget benefits higher earners, ordinary working people will still be paying more tax.

It is vital we remember, today’s working people are the pensioners of tomorrow.

Rodney Sadd
Crowland
Proud supporter of the NPC