Monday 6 April 2009

The state pension increased by a mere £4.55 today for millions of pensioners across the UK.  This inadequate increase, during a period of extreme hardship for older people, was the basis for protests being held in fifty cities nationwide; one of which took place in Belfast. 

The Belfast rally which took place outside Belfast City Hall was organised by the National Pensioners’ Convention as part of their national ‘Day of Action’, and allowed pensioners and future pensioners to make a stand for a decent state pension.  The rally was supported by Age Sector Platform and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Dorothy Hanna; President of the NI region of the NPC, who chaired the rally in Belfast, commented: “We know that only a decent state pension provides an effective and reliable way of guaranteeing real financial security in retirement.  However, our state pension is one of the worst in Europe: this is shocking.  A fair pension would eradicate many of the income related problems facing older people caused by unfair means‑testing, low benefit uptake, a weak private pensions system and a staggeringly low interest rate.”

Ms Hanna continued: “Those present at the rally have supported our call to increase the basic state pension above the poverty level and increase it every year in line with average earnings or inflation; whichever is the greater.  This demand is not unattainable.  In fact, the National Insurance Fund currently has a surplus of £46billion; forecast to rise to £102billion within five years.”

Bill Carson, Chair of Age Sector Platform, and speaker at the pension rally, commented: “During the last year, nearly everyone in society has experienced the negative impact of the credit crunch.  Pensioners, however, have been living through a personal recession for decades.”

Mr Carson continued: “Older people really are feeling the pinch.  They spend a higher proportion of their income on necessities such as food and fuel than other age groups, which is the reason for higher pensioner inflation rates.  Also, pensioners relying on income from modest savings have been negatively affected due to the cut in the interest rate.  I am encouraged by the fantastic turnout at the rally today and hope that it has sent a strong message to our MPs.  They must work on our behalf to put pressure on the Westminster Government.  Older people deserve better.”