12:40pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009
By Richard Vernalls
PENSIONERS from Worcestershire will today be having their say in a bid to set the national agenda for older people’s welfare.
Delegates from various pensioner action groups have been gathering for a three-day National Pensioners Convention (NPC) in Blackpool.
Among them are representatives from Worcestershire Pensioner’s Action Group and Worcestershire Partnership of Older People’s Forums who want to make sure the county’s voice is heard.
Among them are Ron Chambers, action group chairman, Brian Hunt, action group vice-chairman and the Fred Kaler of the Evesham older people’s forum. Mr Chambers said the meeting was a chance for pensioners to have their say.
“Obviously it’s a good opportunity to meet other people and the more there are involved the bigger the issue we create,” he said.
Starting today, members gather for the 17th Pensioner’s Parliament and are set to grill MPs from all three major political parties over the current rate of pension payments and other issues.
Up to 2,000 delegates are expected to attend with a protest of some 1,000 members expected today at about 1pm. They are campaigning for better standards for elderly people across the UK.
The debate begins with a two-hour question time-style session with pensions minister Rosie Winterton, Nigel Waterson, shadow older people’s minister, and the Liberal Democrat MP and spokesman for work and pensions Paul Rowen.
They are due to be quizzed on the use of means-testing, state support for social care, tackling fuel poverty and MPs’ expenses.
Mr Chambers said: “We will be waiting to hear what they have to say and firing their questions back at them. There’s concern over pension payments, means-testing and the social care issue.
“We’re not here on a few days out. I’ve had to get stand-in care for my wife for three days which isn’t easy.
“It’s issues exactly like that which need raising.”
Delegates will also launch the election manifesto demanding higher state pensions, free care, and better public services on Wednesday. Care ambassador Michael Parkinson will address the audience on Thursday.
Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary, said the convention would be a rallying call for the “grey vote.”
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