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SAVE THE PENSION BOOK CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN
EDINBURGH Monday
26 January 2004
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) Scotland launched a
national petition campaign calling on the government to allow people to
continue using their pension books to collect their state pension from
their local post office.
NPC Scotland believe that the phasing out of pension books and their
replacement by "Direct Payment" smart cards will discriminate against a
considerable number of elderly people and erode their human rights and
freedom of choice.
George Henderson, President of the NPC Scotland said "
Working in concert with our Sister Organisations this will be a powerful
Campaign, Many older folk are distressed worrying about having to use
smart cards and Pin Numbers in preference to their pension books to draw
their pension that they have worked for all their lives. We believe the
new government policy to be unfair, and unpopular. Particularly
unsuitable, for the elderly pensioners, who are hard of hearing, poor
sighted, and have to rely on others for help?.
John Wilson and George Henderson NPC Scotland Secretary and President also
representing SPA, and T&G RMA pensioners held a petition-signing event at
ASDA on Monday 26th January,
this will be the first in a series of
high profile events raising awareness of the plight of seniors
and the garnering of names that will be sent to government ministers.
Pensioners are being urged to write to their Member of Parliament telling
them what?s wrong with the new system and reminding them of their leader
Tony Blair?s promise made on 12th April 2000 -
?No-one will be prevented from continuing
to receive their pension in cash at the post office?
John Wilson President of the SPA said,
"Grey power is
being exercised here. We believe an uncaring, inconsiderate government
that is not listening is dictating to the UK's 11 million pensioners.
Never mind the government's Big Conversation, this is the Big Grey Power
Fight Back, we will continue to Campaign to achieve social justice for all
pensioners"
The launch was a resounding success; young and old
were more than keen to sign the petition to save the pension book. Their
reasons were factual and justifiable, some elderly pensioners said it gets
them out the house and they look forward to going to the Post Office to
collect their pension, meet up with other friends and have a good blether
and a cup of tea. To some this may not sound like much but to a number of
the elderly it's a godsend. They also made the point that the status quo
keeps post offices open and this was echoed by a number of post office
workers who gladly signed up.
Many felt they had
been conned by Government and had to sign the OFFICIAL LOOKING forms
received from the DWP SANCTIONING a, building society, bank, OR POST
OFFICE ACCOUNT, most of the elderly when we pointed this out to them, were
not aware that they didn't need to sign any form.
Other issues were
raised with us, including the unfair council tax, with unfair banding of
different properties; Scotland being worse than Siberia and save
pensioners from freezing to death in Scotland? these will be added to the
UK Pensioners Manifesto which will be endorsed at the Annual National
Pensioners Parliament in Blackpool on 18 - 20 May.
Speaking for NPC Scotland Secretary John Wilson
and Chairman George Henderson have agreed to ensure a regular appearance
of representatives from pensioners organizations to provide information
and to take up with Government issues giving concern to the elderly.
Photos below will
give some indication of the considerable support from young and old for
the campaign. Many were very pleased that we would be bringing
Pensioners concerns to the attention of Government. All were agreed that
apparently this Government is not prepared to listen. George said ? the
Grey Power vote is neglected at this Government's peril and that having No
Reverse is of little use when you are travelling down a one way street?.
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