What should Joan Bakewell do in her new role?
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the way care homes deliberately make old people immobile by refusing them exercise.
the way care homes keep old people understimulated
the way care home dull the senses of old people so much, they die of emotional neglect.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Joan might consider visiting the Sagazone website, allowing her access to the opinions of thousands of Older People on a large variety of subjects.
(It would be a good idea if some politicians did this too.)
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I agree with all the above. Care homes definitely need looking into.
I also feel pensions are far too low, when prices rise as they have been, we pensioners are not able to work overtime to help our income.
The cost of fuel is outrageous, the government could at least scrap or reduce VAT on all fuel.
Back in the 80s I studied an OU course re Caring for Older People, since then I have always been of the thought that fuel for all pensioners should be free, regardless of income, of course it will never happen, us oldies are just regarded as a nuisance!
Come on Joan - be the voice of us
Older People.
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last week I started to write a detailed account of what it is like to be an old person - however, now we are given Dame Joan Bakewell to speak for us.
Charming and entertaining she may well be but she doesn`t speak for me!
She`s a `Media Person`inhabiting a different world.
Her comments so far have been about the discomforts of travelling around, on the tube, planes, trains, the discomforts of dragging her luggage.and finding a public loo. But as someone who hasn`t had a holiday for ten years and who has difficulties in getting to my local hospital for appointments, I would like someone who is better accquainted with more fundamental issues.I have some answers if anyone cares to listen!
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I am sure that all the people Ms Bakewell is going to represent are middle class Radio 4 listeners so thats alright then
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How to refer to older people?
What about the gently respectful
'SENIORS'
used by our American cousins and, I find, easily recognised here.
Signed - one of them.
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Hi Joan, In your considerations of the issues, please do not leave out the difficulties of the singles. If you are young and single, you can join the rugbu club, play football or go to the disco. Being single and old is a different ball game.
Try booking a holiday as a single
Try buying things in small quantities
Try finding company of compatible interest.
There are numerous other similar problems.
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I don't mind what people call me... old git and old goat will do very well. I've lived a long time (70 years) and am happy. I have loads of young friends and acquaintances who still seem to enjoy my company even though I have no money. In other countries the old are regarded as wise..... that might be a bit of a joke but at least some of them have some good ideas that should not be wasted.
Old gits shouldn't complain as they still have much to give to society. Let's just get on with helping each other and have fun ... everyone is old by comparison to someone else.
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Please do something to encourage adult education for people over 65. The government is determined to stop this. We don't just want to do yoga and bingo. High quality intellectual stimulus by studying subjects we haven't had time to take up earlier is so important. Surely new skills and knowledge will help us stay healthy and also provides good social contacts with like minded people. This is under attack, please help.
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Get the government to stop taxing income from private pensions - it's outrageous that when someone has had the foresight and responsibility to save for their retirement (and thus be less of a burden to the welfare state) that the government then takes away a chunk of it. Sheer robbery.
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Living in Dudley, I have a super idea for keeping the children fit and healthy. How about buying back all the school playing fields that have been sold off?
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Great News that Joan Bakewell is a voice for the older citizens. One thing she can immediately do - and it costs nothing - is get this government to scrape the stupid move to GMT. Early afternoon darkness costs older people money because it means more electricity for lighting since they are often obliged to be at home. A move to CET would also give us back wonderful light evenings in summer. If it means Hebridian school children staring lessons later the SNP can change its clocks!
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Milford Haven may not be massively Welsh speaking in itself. However, the surrounding area is peppered with pockets of Welsh speaking villages and hamlets.
Moreover, the point of the Welsh language policy is to foster the language in those areas that are not traditionally Welsh speaking, and to consolidate the position in the areas that are.
I would also bet my next pay packet that there are more than a few dozen Welsh speakers in a West Wales town of that size.
Isn't diversity more interesting, and culturally more valuable, than boring homogeneity.
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As the intellectual man's crumpet, you certainly talk sense and I would like you to tell this so called Labour Government to give more help to the many poor people in this rich country who are having difficulty to try and live on a basic pension and cant heat their homes or have a proper meal while the fat cats running the fuel and energy companies increase their prices to a great extent.
Jeffcasey
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pmL: I am utterly with you, and more. In fact, I would like to see 'care homes' abolished in their present form and replaced with communities where older people with caring needs control the environment and are not subject to the whims of care home owners and managers.
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Such hypocrisy! Gordon Brown singlehandedly destroyed the best pension scheme in Europe, against all advice (including that of his fellow labour politicians). That shows how much he cares about the elderly.
He is now attempting to convince all that he is some economic world supremo, and that the state our economy is nothing to do with him and his torturous Machiavelin economic policies.
Who suffers more during an economic downturn. Those on fixed incomes........the elderly. In spite of what he would have us believe, Brown's profligacy has caused many of today's financial problems. It was Brown, not the banks who removed the controls from the Bank of England. It was Brown who sold our gold (at rock bottom prices)
It is Brown who is now desperate to hoodwink us into believing it was nothing to do with his policies.
So why has Harman sought to appoint Joan as a mentor for the elderly?
Joan Bakewell has a reputation amongst her peers (the thinking man's totty)and is an acceptable face to those of her generation. Behind that face however lies the sad truth that Brown cares not for the elderly. He has done nothing to help pensioners, paying only minimal increases (remember the 50P....that's how much he cares).
I confess that I would never have thought of Joan Bakewell as naive. She says she is freelance, and that she will criticise the government if necessary, and I don't doubt her. But to accept the post gives an impression that she accepts that Labour care about the elderly. History of this government shows that they don't give a monkeys.
Act on behalf of the elderly Joan by all means, but don't stain your reputation by association. There isn't a spoon long enough to sup from Brown's pot!
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2. Whatever Bakewell is, it certainly doesn't have your tastelessness, David.
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I suspect that many older people cannot understand how their roads and pavements are allowed to become so uneven, undulating, pot-holed and pockmarked as to become dangerous.
And the number of obstructions on paths, pavements and the like is a national disgrace !!
I am not a fan of the 'compensation culture' but I did think it might at least have one benefit in getting councils to pay more attention to uneven paving stones and other trip hazards.
But now they just invest the money in better lawyers, forget above fixing the infrastructure, and if old people break their ankles or worse, well, that is the NHS's lookout, and their silo mentality means 'it's someone else's problem..'
Remember, wartime Germany started with people being beastly to the old...
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I think Joan should set up a scheme where older people (I understand that's now acceptable as a description of the constituency she represents) with gardens they can no longer manage, are put in touch with younger people who have energy and time on their hands, to help each other out. The older people get their gardens done and have some social interaction with a group they may not come into contact with. The younger people have less spare time to fill, get to learn or hone some skills, and get some social interaction with a group they may not normally come into contact with. Win:win.
PS This is not my idea originally but I can't remember where I heard about it. Probably on Radio 4!
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It is an excellent appointment, but Dame Joan will need help. I would like to offer my services and be the voice and respresentive for London and the S. East Coast. Callmepat and let the BBC know.
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(13) - Fobantus
I have a small problem with your argument. CET will give you 1 more hour at the same light level. So the difference in light usage is 1 hour.
Which is approximately 1 * 365/2 * 100W * 11p = 200 pennies every year!
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Of one thing I am certain that is older people do not want a one solution fits all policy. They are varied in their needs and their wants.
Some suggestions:
Just dumping a person used to the privacy of a home into a "room" where no one knocks, but nurses and visitors just barge in when they want, is demoralizing. The equivalent of a front door is essential to most. Even in a hospital environment.
Older people moving to small self contained flats is good, but CAN they be designed so that the access and the windows face the same way. Something like a cloister arrangement with a central area and a small "own space" in front (tiny garden). There is no need for a back door, in fact back to back squares would be good. Being in flats that you can not see who is hiding down the corridor outside is too scary for some. If they can see the whole court yard from their window the older people can stay independent for longer. Everyone would be able to see if their neighbour was up and about and everything was normal, i.e. curtains etc. In places like this the nursing must be independent of the housing. Each would be able to use any local resources or the help of neighbours. All you would need would be a caretaker/odd job person's accommodation at the main entrance.
A little bit of planning for the older person would be good instead of blatant profiteering from them.
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Joan
You should start by educating the elderly. Perhaps you could hand out this pensioners guide how not to get old which i was prompted to write after witnessing a pensioner outburst in my local garden centre.
I Want to be a Pensioner
I want to be a pensioner Look forward to the time
That I can say just what I like ,Knowing I?ll be fine
I want to be a pensioner Be awkward as I feel
If folk?s don?t like what I say, they can just spin on their heels
?I?ve fought a war? you?ll hear them say, you?ll really going to pay
I did all these things just for you; so this is my hay day
You must bow down and touch my feet each time I am around
All move aside when there?s a Que. I?m going to stand my ground
I want to be a pensioner my shoulders got a chip
I want to travel round for free, every single trip
I want to be a pensioner and ware my grumpy badge
Cause all of us are just the same we?re all out the same batch
We?re not well off, we?re being ripped off, we?re really short of money
If we are given a penny short in change, we?ll turn so very funny
When you?re 80 plus it?s a must, that you get your own way
If we don?t you can be sure, we?ll going to wreck you day
I want to be a pensioner before the breed is dies out
We?re the ones you?ll always hear that fuss and make a shout
I want to be a pensioner and meet some other old cronies
And join the ones experienced in the ancient art of moaning
If you were borne in 43 you?ve just reached 65
You missed the war but can be sure, before you have survived
So skip along and join a club there?s plenty to be found
Just listen for old wingers there?s plenty still around
I want to be a pensioner it really is an art
When you?re 84 its true to say you can stand there and just fart
I want to be a pensioner, most don?t use their manners
?Thank You?s? not in their repertoire forgotten like the tanner.
Their ignorance can hold bounds of that you can be sure
They?ll do no more than stare you out while you hold open their door,
What a fine example to young kids on life?s path
When young kids do the same to them, they shout aloud their wrath
I want to be a pensioner, and live to 93
I want to moan about these times and how it used to be
I want to be a pensioner the feeling is quite good
When you can moan cause it?s your job and this is understood
Full to the brim with attitude their experts in this field
They?ll draw you in and then attack, won?t stop when you say yield
They gather round in bunches street corners, parks and halls
Safety in their numbers makes sure that they don?t fall
I want to be a pensioner a white haired ancient thug
We?ll hang around on corners to launch a verbal mug
I want to be a pensioner we want your full compliance
Stand there Take note and just be aware on you we are reliant
Young and pure quite mature they never made mistakes
All kept quite, don?t say a word, the whole thing is a fake
Little goody two shoes that?s what they?d like us to think
They were just as bad as all the rest for smoking sex and drink
I want to be a pensioner The tricks we?ve had to play
Kick up like hell cause a fuss we?ll always win the day
I want to be a pensioner you?ll always pay the price
When they?ll around you?ve got to say never, ever dice
If it?s got white hair a vacant stare watch out there?s danger near
Step off the kerb to cross the road and you?ll be dead I fear
Reactions sight and sense?s gone some are not aware
That there upside down in their car flying through the air
I want to be a pensioner and still drive at 85
Have a car that will go like hell but drive at 25
I want to be a pensioner I get so very muddled
When you see me you can be sure I?m 100 percent pure trouble
Well as a last conclusion it would be fair to say
Old Farther Xmas and Nana Moon should really model their way
They should be kind and tolerant thoughtful strong and true
And always keep remembering they were once young too
I want to be a pensioner and try and mend my ways
And say a great big SORRY to those I do offend
I want to be a pensioner polite and nice to all
And when I meet The Governor know that I?ll stand tall
ChrisS (62)
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lordBeddGelert @ 19, hear hear! As people get older they are more likely to themselves more serious damage if they fall, and tripping on a bit of bad pavement may annoy someone of twenty, but break the hip of someone in his or her seventies. The latter will then be in a bad way for the rest of his/her life.
It isn't just broken pavement and such, though. The shops that line the road from here towards the centre of town all feel entitled to put small billboards outside their shops and bars advertising their wares and blocking the pavement so that pedestrians either have to walk almost in the gutter, or may run into these very heavy billboards. (If they weren't heavy they might blow over, I suppose, or be stolen or something.) That's clearly a hazard for the elderly in the same way that uneven pavements would be, but is also decidedly dangerous for the blind, unpleasant for the halt and wheelchair-bound, and not much fun for anyone with a child in a pushchair.
No ageism involved so it might not be something for Joan Bakewell to soapbox, but I feel someone could start to campaign against these people obstructing the public thoroughfare for the benefit of pedestrians of *all* ages! I tell each shop at regular intervals and point out the dangers they are causing for people, but they apparently couldn't give a running poke at a rolling doughnut about anything but their advertising, and maybe a nationwide uproar might get through to them better.
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(19) lBG - I do NOT agree about pavements. Everyone should go at the speed appropriate to the surface conditions.
It is the expectation of perfect pavements that is the problem.
I would actually target the absolutely perfect pavements. The ones that are polished to a mirror finish. In railway stations etc. Just one wet day and a little diesel on your shoes from the taxi rank and there is only one outcome: broken wrists and head injuries.
But I do agree with Chris on the pavement obstacles. Including mobile phone masts and boxes.
There is a planning policy called "Manual for Streets" which has a few good ideas in relation to making pavements clear.
They also propose sharpening all side road corners so that cars have to go around them slowly allowing pedestrians the right of way at the junctions and not 100 yards down the side road after the barriers have stopped or it is narrow enough to cross.
Google it.
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Righteo, my 2p worth...
First of all, I'm not an oldie myself - far from it! So feel free to shout me down if my ideas are nonsense :)
Reducing taxation on pension funds, increasing pensions, etc. are fine ideas in theory - but how does the government pay for them? Already North Sea Oil revenues are decreasing, and as the mean age of the population increases, so the proportion of the population of "working age" decreases. Which may be one reason why Labour's developed this obsession with trying to push everyone of working age into full time employment, regardless of circumstances!
So, what can be done that doesn't require huge injections of cash? For a start, remove the minimum retirement age - so that those who reach 65 and are still sprightly and fit as a fiddle can continue to work, should they so wish. However, just as dangerous as enforcing a minimum retirement age is the opposite - encouraging (even if unintentionally) people to work beyond their capabilities, so they don't retire at all...
Footpaths - evidently it is unfeasible to ensure every footpath is safe all the time. However, a few years back the government did a huge survey of pupils / parents, to find their walking routes to school, as part of the "safer routes to school" initiative - so safe walking routes from family homes to schools were identified, and I presume local authorities have a duty to ensure these "safe routes" are well maintained. So, how about doing something for the older generation - safe routes from where they live to community facilities e.g. shops, social clubs etc.? On a similar note, discourage bus companies (perhaps with a subsidy) from removing bus stops from areas with a high proportion of older people. Besides which, as bus companies are starting to invest in fleets with easy access entrances / low floors, if they keep the buses well maintained they should start encouraging people to use them - especially with the advent of the new transport pass.
As for the 'A' frames that litter pavements - here's a simple idea: on ordinary width pavements, ban them entirely. On wide pavements / pedestrianised zones, allow them only if they are immediately adjacent to the premises (i.e. not stuck in the middle of the street). Yes, the traders will moan about falling revenue, but traders have a habit of moaning about anything that could possibly impact upon passing trade...
Accommodation - how about using university campus accommodation as inspiration for new sheltered housing developments? In other words, as well as the houses / flats, incorporate community facilities into the development, so even the less agile can get out and socialise! How about a residents' committee, that meets with the management and has an active say in what's offered in the community facility? So in effect, a kind of hybrid between a hall of residence and a student village - but tailored to the needs of the residents rather than students!
Care homes - I'm not sure offhand what the criteria for CSCI inspections are, but perhaps these could be used as one mechanism to encourage home owners to improve the facilities on offer. Perhaps even provide a mechanism for residents to provide (anonymised!) views on the home.
It wouldn't take a huge leap of imagination for the government, especially since they're rolling out self-assessment questionnaires to adult social care, and moving to a system whereby the service user ("customer" in the jargon - urgh!) receives direct payments based on their needs, and then have control of spending it on appropriate provision, instead of the current system whereby the social care department decide on appropriate provision, then allocate the money appropriately.
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Resign.
Why do we need a CZAR?
Is this another ploy for the appointed representatives of the people (MPs) to side step their responsibilities; by trying to place someone else in the firing line.
There are already sufficient bodies very able and experienced in putting the viewpoint for those less able across. I am thinking of Help the Aged and the like.
We don't need more layers of advisors and reporters and commitees - just more action.
START dealing with the mountain of issues that are already well researched and known about.
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13 above.
CET or GMT; the same number of daylight hours, just depends when you care to be living them. Your arguement assumes older people don't get up early in the morning.
I suggest otherwise. As someone coping with an elderly mother (hence my time of blogging), they seem to live on far fewer hours of sleep than I can survive with, and are up and about while it's still dark.
Much else above I agree with, but my biggest rant is that the state takes away, pound for pound, any support needed by the elderly, against the savings they made in their past. I deliberatly do not save for a pension, will be a burden on the state, for seeing what happens if one, like my parents, save for their retirement. All their money is being vacuumed away by the state, nothing will be left for their children or grandchildren.
JB should get to work on that.
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Deepthought - but surely that's what why our generation need to save what we can, so we can support ourselves when we're no longer in employment?
You said it yourself - we save for our retirement, not for passing on a sum of money to our offspring.
I'll save what I can, then spend what I have to - when my money runs out I'll hope there are enough younger people in work to fund my Income Support!
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pmL 18, Or your boringness.
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My view of the 50 - 70 age bracket is the largely wasted opportunity for society to gain from the lessons accumulated by this set of people. Invariably these people have collected great wisdom which can be passed onto the next generation or making sure that mistakes are not re-committed. This knowledge can be used in so many levels from personal behaviours to community work to business leadership and beyond. Society benefits from retaining this knowledge and the individuals gain from feeling valued, and not discarded / becoming a burden on society.
Other sections of society need to learn to respect that wisdom. This can be done by showing these other sections what value the 50 - 70 age group bring. The process of matching value to society need will follow in so many areas.
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Gillianian: I like your way of thinking ;o)
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re msg 4.
While I agree with some of what is said here, as a man in his 50's, and married to a teacher, I'd like to ask why is it that everyone refers exclusively to pensioners as being on a fixed income? Our income is fixed - pensioners haven't got a monopoly on being 'hard up' in the current climate. How many teachers get paid overtime or bonuses? None! I'm not a teacher, and may be considered as being on a decent income, but it's still fixed, I don't get overtime pay for working more hours, along with many professional grades/careers.
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steadda: As an ex teacher, I'm afraid I have to disagree with the drift of your point, firstly because there is no comparison between a teacher's salary and a state pension, and secondly because teachers' salaries tend to rise more per annum than do the State Pension. Unfortunately (for me) I am in receipt of neither at the moment, but know both teachers and OAPs who do not have occupational pensions, and there is a huge difference in their standards of living.
Sorry for making this point, but I feel quite strongly that your comment could be offensive to those on a pension.
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Sorry, what exactly is meant by the phrase 'fixed income'? I don't think I can be understanding it properly.
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Regulate the private sheltered accomodation rip off world.
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Big Sister: the drift of my point is that the phrase 'fixed income' is totally meaningless, lots of us are on fixed incomes. I assume (and I have to agree with Chris_Ghoti, I could be wrong here) that fixed income means you don't get variable bonus payments, paid overtime, sales-based commision etc. well, I'm afraid lots of peole don't.
If pensioners, and I accept that I will hopefully be one in time, want to refer to their low incomes then so be it, but don't hide behind this 'medjia speak' of fixed incomes as being solely the preserve of pensioners.
My brother is a pensioner on a fixed income, so is my sister, but the standards of living between the two is enormous. It has no reference point.
I actually agree that the state pension is far too low, and also that more respect be given to EVERYONE, not just based on age.
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(34) - steadda - I'm with you, not one of the local family has had a pay rise since the introduction of the minimum wage. They are all fixed. One has lost his job in the last redundancies so the whole company labour force is now on the minimum. His pay went down to minimum wage in the new job.
However, with a public sector income feeding me, I have seen all the relevant rises.
As for pensioners not doing overtime my parents have raised their hours shopping and walk/bus miles to get the bargains. It pays well.
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Thanks, steadda, for your clarification. You are right that there is a wide disparity between pensioners, depending upon whether they are in receipt of private and/or occupational pensions, but the reality for those purely on a State Pension is that it is small. Of course many pensioners cannot enhance their pension by, for example, taking on a part time job, and it is this helplessness that is frustrating for many.
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Big Sister (40) I'm not disagreeing with you, but my mother has a different persective about her state pension - she has never had so much disposable income as she has now.
She lives in a one-bedroomed Housing Association bungalow, for which the bulk of her rent is paid through Housing Benefit, as is most of her Council Tax.
She receives a very small private pension based on my Dad's contributions over the last 4 or 5 years of his working life - it's only pocket money.
Other than that, she receives only the State Pension and Pension Savings Credit. She tries to keep her savings down to £6000 so that her Savings Credit isn't affected. She has never had so much money saved before in her life.
It isn't that she is unwilling to lose the benefit - she just can't face the hassle of having to contact all the different people she would need to to keep herself ''straight'' and within all the guidelines for her benefits.
She feels guilty at the moment, she tells me, because she's just had a letter informing her that now she's 80 she'll be getting the higher Winter Fuel Payment. She would rather the money went to help families with young children who have bigger houses to heat, use more hot water and do more cooking. She is thankful that she only lives in a small property.
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A few relevant stats:
Basic State Pension (per week from 9 April 2008)
Based on your own or your late husband?s,
wife?s or civil partner?s NI contributions £90.70
Based on your husband?s NI contributions £54.35
Non-contributory Over 80 pension £54.35
Over 80 Age Addition £ 0.25
(That extra 25p isn't going to go very far...)
However, the water is muddied a lot with things such as SERPS, "Graduated Retirement Benefit", "Increased benefits for dependents" and of course MIG and Pension Credit.
Meanwhile, if you're under 65, long term Incapacity Benefit is £84.50 for a single person, or £50.55 for the "spouse of other adult dependent (where appropriate)".
JSA pays up to £60.50 for a single, or £94.95 for a couple. Of course, you may also be entitled to CTB and HB (which, if your rent includes utility bills, is reduced as it's not meant to cover them).
-oOo-
Here's a novel idea: simply the entire benefits system, so you don't need a degree in mathematics to work out your income...
Not that it will ever happen (politicians have a nasty habit of promising to reduce complexity when out of office - then promptly increase it when in office!), but it would have a twofold benefit:
a) it would make it easier for people to work out what they were entitled to and claim it,
b) it would make it easier for the DWP to track down those claiming a suspiciously high level of benefits, and work out quickly whether they did meet the criteria....
As for means testing, surely the DWP could ask their colleagues at HMRC to extrapolate what you earn and how many (banked) savings you've got by how much PAYE you're giving them...
OK, it wouldn't cover people using their mattress as a bank, or those with offshore accounts, but I would assume it would cover the majority of the population...
If implemented properly (admittedly that's a big if for any government!), then it should be broadly accurate for most people, so only a few would need to dispute it and send in copies of their bank statements and P60s as proof...
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Argh! Forgot the blog can't cope with pound signs (unless you manually tell your browser to use the Western character set rather than UTF-8)! Now, do I apologise here or on the other thread? :)
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Gillianian (41): My mum is the same, but I suspect it has a lot to do with the frugality of her lifestyle. Because she doesn't run a car, go out for meals, take taxis (with rare exceptions), and is extremely careful with her heating and food budget, she regularly has surplus from her pension (her situation is very similar to that you describe for your mother, to give a context).
Of course, I would much rather she didn't think all the time about the cost of everything, turned up her thermostat, and used taxis more, as well as generally spoiling herself a little more in the last years of her life. But nothing will change her - and, as far as it is possible, she is remarkably happy for a very elderly lady.
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In Leeds we have "planning for retirement" days organised by Park Lane College. We want older people to enjoy their retirement not endure it. Four speakers cover legal matters, state pensions and benefits, finance and health (mental and physical). Delegates leave at the end of the day feeling more confident, more in control and more informed about retirement.
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I think that care homes for older people should not be run as a private buisness. They care more about profit than delivering a high standard of care. If we can have money poured into sure start why can't the government invest into sure finish. Surely it is just as important.
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Delighted at Joan Bakewell's new appointment. Please hold onto the initiative, Joan - there are thousands of us to back you up - find a medium we can all have a voice. Whatever they call us - old, older, oldies, silly old farts - WE NEED A VOICE!
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Dear Joan,
If you are reading this, then I hope you will respond by assuring me that you are going to make representations, on behalf of prospective pensioners, to Rosie Winterton about the government's discussions with employers by consulting on changes to so-called Section 75 ? which compels any business winding up a pension scheme as part of a corporate restructuring or demerger to cover fully its liabilities.
Prospective pensioners, who have contributed for many, many years to private pension schemes on the advice of the Government are sick of living under the continual risk of losing their hard-earned pension if their employer wishes to undertake corporate re-structuring. Once a person retires then their pension is relatively safe, but in the years approaching retirement age, if Section 75 is repealed, then the prospective pensioner will be entirely at the mercy of an unscrupulous employer.
The issue has become more pressing for businesses as falling stock markets have increased pensions shortfalls.
Ms Winterton says the Department for Work and Pensions has begun a four-week ?informal consultation? on the matter. In her remarks, Ms Winterton is set to acknowledge that balancing the needs of employers and pension security is a delicate act. But Ms Winterton will tell the group: ?If we can, we will hold a full public consultation in February and introduce any changes in October 2009.?
In anticipation of the likely backlash from pensions groups, Ms Winterton will say that the department will seek industry?s views on the options for not triggering a debt ?where the employer remains committed to the pension scheme?. However, it was unclear on what this might mean.
The risk to government is that if the change goes wrong, more schemes could be forced to rely on the Pension Protection Fund.
However the Pension Protection Fund is hopelessly underfunded and will not be able to provide anything other than a minimal compensation.
I suspect that the reason that dear old Harriet Harman asked you to take the role you have accepted is part of the usual bad news cover-up strategy that this Government is so renowned for. Bring potential opposition into the tent and close the flap.
You have said that you will be acting in a freelance capacity, well here is an opportunity to prove it.
Its time to start a campaign of " No votes for Labour if they remove the protection of Section 75". You are just the person to show you are not Gordon's poodle.
Will you do it?
We shall see!
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I listened with interest to the programme featuring Joan Bakewell as the new government-appointed spokesperson for older people.
I aught to say from the word go, that I like Joan Bakewell. She seems a fairly decent, intelligent person, who, I?m sure, will cock a sympathetic ear to any gripes raised by people, old or otherwise.
However on this matter I fear that she has been set up. Whether Harriet Harman played to Ms Bakewell?s ego, or whatever, I know not, but she has definitely become part of the ?spin? efforts of the government.
She has been set up as an Aunt Sally. Her job, whether she sees it or not, is to deflect criticism from the government.
She has not been elected, but appointed. This is of a par with the governments usual PR initiatives, which aim to give the appearance of action, without having to face the difficulties, or indeed cost, of actually tackling a problem.
She should ask herself this question-
Does she actually believe that those issues which are of great consequence to older people are not already known by the government? Here are a couple of examples of such issues that I guess most people of retirement age would probably agree on. Firstly, the increase in the cost of power and utilities. Secondly, the increase in the cost of the local community charges. Does she believe that our elected representatives are unaware of these issues? Of course they are aware. But it?s a damn sight easier for them to set up a willing and cooperative Aunt Sally, who can take a lot of the flack, than to actually tackle the problem. By interjecting herself between the public and their elected representatives she acts as a convenient buffer and therefore complicates and confuses the democratic process.
I predict that within a year or so when she realises that she has been taken as a mug by the government Ms Bakewell will resign.
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i think it is fantastic that joan bakewell is to be a spokesperson... i would like to send her a suggestion but how do we contact her?
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