Unions call for action on state pension

06.04.09

Unions today joined with the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) to call for urgent government action on the state pension.

In a letter to The Guardian, unions said:

“Today (Monday 6 April) the basic state pension increases to just £95.25 a week and, for millions of older women, the figure is even less. At least one in four pensioners still live below the official poverty line and current government policy appears incapable of tackling the problem.

Relying solely on means-tested benefits for today’s pensioners and occupational pension schemes for future generations simply won’t work. Means-testing remains unpopular, demeaning and ineffective at reaching nearly 2m pensioners who need it and occupational schemes are facing a wave of closures as pension pots have lost £billions in the recent economic crisis.

The answer however remains simple. As a matter of urgency the basic state pension should be raised above the poverty level, estimated at £165 a week, paid to all in retirement and re-linked to earnings or prices (whichever is the greater).

Christine Blower, acting General Secretary, NUT
Jeremy Dear, General Secretary, NUJ
Dot Gibson, General Secretary, NPC
Sally Hunt, General Secretary, UCU
Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, CWU
Paul Kenny, General Secretary, GMB
Gerry Morrissey, General Secretary, BECTU
Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON
Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS
Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretary, UNITE.”