- Conference
- 2023 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 29 May 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Yes, we acknowledge that some pensioners are millionaires and, yes, we acknowledge that some Government Ministers are millionaires or multi-millionaires. Whereas some pensioners, including our Unison retired members, are living in abject poverty, we have yet to find one Minister living in abject poverty. When your life is full of luxury, it may be difficult to understand that there are those who cannot afford to keep warm or eat.
The Government pledge to honour the triple lock when raising the state pension meant that in April 2023 the increase was raised by the inflation level of 10.1%. Unfortunately, for some retired members on lower incomes this increase has meant that they now have to pay tax. The amount of income which retired members need has increased substantially during the last year due to the rising cost of living, food prices and energy costs increasing. Sadly, the amount of income that they can keep before being taxed has not changed.
Conference therefore instructs the Unison National Retired Members Committee and calls on the National Executive Council to:
1)urgently campaign on making the Government aware of this situation;
2. report progress on a regular basis in Unison publications and at all the Unison
National Retired Members Committee meetings for onward circulation to Regions
and Branches;
3. report back to the 2024 Unison National Retired Members Conference any progress
achieved in increasing awareness.