Menu
07/09/2004
Lib Dems pledge extra £25 for single pensioners
The Lib Dems have today published their vision for pensions – the 'Citizens Pension' which will see single pensioners over 75 receive an extra £25 a week.
Couples over 75 could expect to get an extra £33.70 a week under a Lib Dem administration – and all paid for through the abolition of the DTI.
The cost of the policy – which would provide £105.45 a week for single pensioners and £160.95 for couples – will be around £2.7 billion and would be met through the abolition of the DTI and slimming down the Treasury and DCMS departments.
The Lib Dems said that in the first term of its administration, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will be targeted at the over 75s who tended to be the poorest, the majority of whom are women. The policy will later be extended to all pensioners.
Based on residency rather than National Insurance contributions, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will particularly benefit women, who will no longer be penalised for caring for their children at home or be reliant on their husband’s pension. The plans will also lift a million people out of means testing overnight, the party claimed.
Under the plans, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will rise in line with average earnings so that "all pensioners could share in the growing wealth of the nation".
The policy would also reform occupational and private pensions. Proposed measures include making occupational schemes “opt out” schemes rather than “opt in” schemes so that employees have to make a conscious decision not to save in the scheme.
Slashing means-testing and removing the requirement to buy an annuity at 75 also form part of the plans which are designed to open up choice for the national's pensioners.
Launching the policy, Lib Dems leader Charles Kennedy said: “This is about fairness for all pensioners. Overnight we will lift one million pensioners out of means testing and we will ensure an extra £25 a week on the basic state pension for single pensioners. Many pensioners are missing out on a decent pension because of the complexity of the government's Pension Credit. Our Citizen's Pension will give people a decent pension as a right without needless form filling and bureaucracy.
“There is a lack of confidence in the pensions system. Today's measures will restore faith in pensions as a way of saving for retirement.”
(gmcg/mb)
Couples over 75 could expect to get an extra £33.70 a week under a Lib Dem administration – and all paid for through the abolition of the DTI.
The cost of the policy – which would provide £105.45 a week for single pensioners and £160.95 for couples – will be around £2.7 billion and would be met through the abolition of the DTI and slimming down the Treasury and DCMS departments.
The Lib Dems said that in the first term of its administration, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will be targeted at the over 75s who tended to be the poorest, the majority of whom are women. The policy will later be extended to all pensioners.
Based on residency rather than National Insurance contributions, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will particularly benefit women, who will no longer be penalised for caring for their children at home or be reliant on their husband’s pension. The plans will also lift a million people out of means testing overnight, the party claimed.
Under the plans, the 'Citizen’s Pension' will rise in line with average earnings so that "all pensioners could share in the growing wealth of the nation".
The policy would also reform occupational and private pensions. Proposed measures include making occupational schemes “opt out” schemes rather than “opt in” schemes so that employees have to make a conscious decision not to save in the scheme.
Slashing means-testing and removing the requirement to buy an annuity at 75 also form part of the plans which are designed to open up choice for the national's pensioners.
Launching the policy, Lib Dems leader Charles Kennedy said: “This is about fairness for all pensioners. Overnight we will lift one million pensioners out of means testing and we will ensure an extra £25 a week on the basic state pension for single pensioners. Many pensioners are missing out on a decent pension because of the complexity of the government's Pension Credit. Our Citizen's Pension will give people a decent pension as a right without needless form filling and bureaucracy.
“There is a lack of confidence in the pensions system. Today's measures will restore faith in pensions as a way of saving for retirement.”
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 May 2011
Lib Dems Suffer At The Polls
After taking a punishment at the polls in the English local elections, Nick Clegg has said his party is being blamed for coalition spending cuts. So far the votes indicate almost a fifty percent cut of Lib Dem councillors, with the majority of lost seats in northern cities. The Conservative vote is standing strong.
Lib Dems Suffer At The Polls
After taking a punishment at the polls in the English local elections, Nick Clegg has said his party is being blamed for coalition spending cuts. So far the votes indicate almost a fifty percent cut of Lib Dem councillors, with the majority of lost seats in northern cities. The Conservative vote is standing strong.
20 September 2010
Free Schools Defeat For Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have suffered defeat in a vote over supporting new free schools. The schools, due to open next year, have been a contentious issue with activists opposing the coalition proposal and calling for the party to urge people turn their backs on it.
Free Schools Defeat For Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have suffered defeat in a vote over supporting new free schools. The schools, due to open next year, have been a contentious issue with activists opposing the coalition proposal and calling for the party to urge people turn their backs on it.
11 May 2010
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
15 February 2010
Lib Dem 'Undecided' On Coalition
The Liberal Democrats have expressed ambivalence towards their role in a possible hung parliament. However, leader Nick Clegg has reportedly ruled out of entering a coalition government if the next election fails to return a clear majority party to the commons.
Lib Dem 'Undecided' On Coalition
The Liberal Democrats have expressed ambivalence towards their role in a possible hung parliament. However, leader Nick Clegg has reportedly ruled out of entering a coalition government if the next election fails to return a clear majority party to the commons.
21 August 2009
Lib Dems Admit Donations Breach
The Liberal Democrats have been forced to repay a party donation of more than £1,300 after breaching electoral rules. South London MP Susan Kramer's son, Jonathan, donated the money to the party. When it was discovered Mr Kramer was not on the UK electoral register the Lib Dem were forced to hand back the cash.
Lib Dems Admit Donations Breach
The Liberal Democrats have been forced to repay a party donation of more than £1,300 after breaching electoral rules. South London MP Susan Kramer's son, Jonathan, donated the money to the party. When it was discovered Mr Kramer was not on the UK electoral register the Lib Dem were forced to hand back the cash.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mostly cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain reaching parts of Antrim and Down later this evening, The showers will extend westwards overnight, clearing from most places by morning. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
