Lynne Featherstone MP Meets Hornsey & Wood Green Pensioners at Parliament

2.44.34pm GMT Wed 26th Oct 2005

Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, welcomed local pensioners to parliament on Wednesday. Pensioners from all across the country headed London as part of the National Pensioners Convention lobby of parliament.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

"I was delighted to meet the local group including people from Age Concern who took the trouble to come and lobby me in Parliament. Pensioners rightly feel let down by this Labour Government. They continue to suffer because of the unfair Council Tax and complex means-tests introduced by Gordon Brown.

"The Pensions Commission is due to report at the end of November so this is an excellent time to discuss all the issues that affect pensioners today. The National Pensioners Convention is pressing for a new Pensioners Charter. This provides a real challenge to all political parties. Many of the things they are calling for are things I fully support. And in Scotland it is Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Executive who are delivering free personal care and free public transport. I shall be listening carefully to all the proposals brought forward by local pensioners.

"It is disappointing that after eight years of a Labour government pensioners feel so let down that they have to come to Parliament from all over the UK to make their point. It is about time that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown started to listen to pensioners so that they are given the dignity and security they deserve in retirement."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Pensioners' Charter states that every pensioner should have the following rights:

· a basic state pension set above the official poverty level and linked to average male earnings.

· a warm and comfortable home.

· free health care treatment based on clinical need and an annual comprehensive health check.

· free community care and services to assist living at home.

· free long-term care.

· free nationwide travel on all public and local transport.

· free education, access to and participation in leisure and cultural activities.

· goods, services and benefits without age discrimination.

· active engagement and consultation on national and local issues affecting older citizens.

· advocacy, dignity, respect and fair treatment in all aspects of their lives.