RPI not CPI for indexation of pensions

Conference condemns the decision of the coalition government to change the indexation of pensions from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from April 2011. Conference believes that this change in indexation from RPI to CPI together with the rising cost of living will result is a significant increase in pensioner […]

Elder Abuse

Currently the process and systems to protect older people throughout the United Kingdom are only based on guidance. We believe adult protection should have the same status as child protection. Every year nearly half a million older people in the UK are suffering some form of physical, psychological, financial and/or sexual abuse. Whilst abuse and […]

Winter Fuel Allowance

Conference is very concerned that in the coalition government’s Budget on 23 March 2011 it reduced the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) by £100 (down from £400 to £300) for the over 80’s households and by £50 (down from £250 to £200) for the under 80’s households. In view of the horrendous rise in fuel costs […]

Cheques

Conference notes that the Payments Council announced in July 2011 that the proposal to discontinue the use of cheques from 2015 has been withdrawn for the foreseeable future. Conference applauds the success of the campaign to get the Payments Council to reverse the decision to abolish cheques. Conference further notes that serious damage has been […]

Older People and Child Care Duties

This Conference recognises that there are some advantages of being retired. One of these is the freedom from the time constraints imposed by employment. For the first time since starting school we should have the freedom to act spontaneously with only the need to advise others of our intentions as a matter of courtesy. Due […]

2012 – European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations

The European Parliament has designated 2012 as the European year for Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations. (European year 2012) MEPs believe that more should be done to enable older people to realise their potential for well-being and participation in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it. Conference […]

Stop the Damaging Health Reforms

Conference believes that any reform of the NHS must take into account the needs of older people – the NHS’ largest patient group. Conference notes that the Health and Social Care Bill will alter fundamentally the NHS as we know it and undermine the basic principles on which it was founded in 1948. Conference is […]

Brains for Dementia Research

Brains for Dementia Research is a partnership between Alzheimer’s Research Trust and Alzheimer’s Society which aims to promote brain donation and to develop a network of brain tissue banks for dementia research. The project is being run in association with the Medical Research Council. Alzheimer’s disease is probably the best known cause of dementia but […]

Effect of Government Proposals for the NHS

The effect of the changes proposed and ongoing by the government are having adverse effects for pensioners, which will increase as the changes are implemented and efficiency drives accelerated. Already cataract operations have been reduced as have operations for replacement hip and knee joints. These ailments are more prevalent amongst the elderly who will increasingly […]

Government Cuts and Retired Members

This Conference is very concerned about the ongoing government cuts in services and instructs the National Retired Members Committee and calls on the National Executive Council to: i. Initiate a strategy which will encourage retired members to support working members in their Branches during this very difficult time; ii. Ensure the strategy is given the […]

Setting Up of New Retired Members Sections

Conference notes that the Branch Retired Members’ Handbook contains some advice on setting up retired members’ sections. Conference considers however that more detailed advice and information is needed than that which appears in the Handbook. Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee, following consultation with branches and the regions, to produce such information as part […]

Winter Fuel Allowance

Conference notes that eligibility for initial payment of the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) is dependent upon the claimant reaching state retirement age by the last week in September each year (of particular benefit to those with birthdays between March and September) and that those who reach this milestone in subsequent winter months do not receive […]

Differential Proposals for Pensioners

The proposals for differentiation of retired members’ pensions proposed for 2015/16 is a form of discrimination affecting existing pensioners. The proposal if implemented will mean that the existing 14 million current British pensioners will lose approximately £53 per week. Conference therefore calls on the Retired Members’ National Committee to join with other organisations including the […]

Contacting the DWP

Conference deplores the continuing use of 084 nos by many organisations as the only means of contacting them by ‘phone. Despite claims that 0845 are ‘lo-call’ cost, they are rarely as cheap as a local call or indeed a geographic call and are used as a means of raking in extra money. Conference believes that […]

Rolling Out the Elder Abuse Campaign to Branches and Other Regions

This Conference notes that elder abuse is the only form of abuse that is not a Statutary Specific Criminal Offence. There is a “Memorandum of Understanding”, that requires the Courts to take into account the age of the victim when considering punishment. The Greater London Regional Retired Members Committee are campaigning against elder abuse to […]