REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION MEETING WITH PAUL BURSTOW, CARE MINISTER ON DECEMBER 19TH 2011

THE NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION (NPC) WERE REPRESENTED BY DOT GIBSON, GENERAL SECRETARY, PAT HEALY & PAT PRENDERGAST, VICE PRESIDENTS.

"DIGNITY CODE"

Paul Burstow said that he had no problem whatsoever with the NPC Dignity Code but his adviser's had two queries, and he asked for clarification on the first and last points after the words "calls for" in the Code.

•  "Respect for individuals to make up their own minds, and for their personal wishes as expressed in 'living wills', for implementation when they can no longer express themselves clearly." We explained that this means exactly what it says and should not be confused with the "right to die" on which the NPC has no policy.

• "The provision of advocacy services where appropriate". We said that an individuals family should be made properly aware that they are also their relatives advocate, with the right to check for themselves their relatives treatment, medication, proposed changes in the type of care they receive and where this will be given; where there is no relative an advocacy service should be provided. (Pat P pointed out that when she tells relatives that they have this right, they often say that they do not want people to think that they are after their relatives money and so it is really important for the care setting to have a representative to ensure that this is properly explained and carried out).

Paul Burstow said that he was satisfied with those answers. He could now take action and would write to us in the new year to say how support would be given to us to take the Dignity Code forward. We said that it was our view that whether a health/care provider was a public or a private concern they should sign up to the Dignity Code and that we would be inviting health and care experts ( we have a meeting with the RCN in January and will raise it with the CQC). Pat H reported that the Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council had unanimously adopted the Dignity Code. We asked for it to be on the agenda of the next UK Advisory Forum on Ageing meeting; he agreed to do this.

"White Paper"

Paul Barstow said that the White Paper will be presented in the spring, with the following sections.

• The Government's response to the Law Commission's report on Adult Social Care, May 2011;
• Quality and workforce (standards and training);
• Provider failure (Southern Cross);
• Overseeing the market (80% in the private sector);
• Financial Services;
• Integration of services, the NHS and also housing.

At the same time there will be a separate Progress Report on Funding Reform (Dilnot).

There was a general discussion during which we asked why the Dilnot report was being dealt with separately and were told that the Government could make legislation in various ways - not necessarily through a White Paper; we also raised the problem of the division between "Medical" and "Personal" care, especially in relation to dementia and the recent Equality and Human Rights Commission on care. We suggested that Baroness Sally Greengross should be asked to speak on this report at the next meeting of the UK Advisory Forum on Ageing. (She is a member of the EHRC). Paul Barstow agreed to put this on the agenda.

"Blackpool Pensioners Parliament"

We asked him to speak and field questions at the Pensioner's Parliament on 20th June 2012; he was positive about this and said that he would do his best to sort out his commitments so that he is able to do so.

 

 

ARE WE WITNESSING THE RETURN OF OLD LABOUR VALUES BY COURTSEY OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT

THERE WILL BE AN INTRODUCTION OF NEW RULES IN 2013 BY THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (FSA) TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON BORROWING MORE THAN ONE CAN AFFORD.

So if I have this right all the Thatcher removal of restrictions on lending seems to have failed. The "nanny state"  now seems to be "common sense." Is it not amazing how our post war Labour leadership got it right? Now we just need to revisit J M Keynes.

"New rules to stop a resurgence in risky mortgage lending are likely to be imposed in 2013 by the Financial Services Authority" (FSA).

The regulator's revised proposals still intend to bring in "common sense" standards that will stop home buyers borrowing more than they can afford. lenders are being told that they must assess the "affordability of homes better,"

BBC Monday December 19th 2011.

Keith - C

THE EURO CRISIS - WHY WAS THE PRIME MINISTER SO KEEN TO DEFEND THE CITY OF LONDON

THE PRIME MINISTER HAS INCREASED HIS POPULARLY IN THE COUNTRY AND THE FINANCIAL SECTOR SINCE HIS USE OF THE VETO DURING THE EURO CRISIS.

The city of London has carved out for itself privilege after privilege, to ensure that the rules governing the rest of Britain stop at the city borders. The Statute of William and Mary from 1690, for example, "confirming the privileges of the Corporation", states:

All the charters, grants,letter patents, commissions touching or concerning any of their liberties or franchises, or the liberties, privileges, franchises, immunities, lands, tenements and hereditaments, rights, titles, or estates of the mayor and commonality and citizens of the City of London, made or granted to any person or persons whatsoever...be and are hereby declared and adjudged null and void to all intents.

Some of the laws made in Westminster do apply to the corporation, but many acts of Parliament specifically exempt it, either fully or in part. Hence the City is connected to the British nation state but remains a constitutional elsewhere. In this the City resembles Jersey or the Cayman Islands, the offshore jurisdictions that are its satellites. For skittish global capital, this matters. Any challenge to the City faces the mystique of history and the extravagant skills and powers of the many servants of finance. This globe-encompassing futuristic financial services centre, whose influence reaches silently into people's homes from Baltimore via Birmingham to Borneo, is founded upon an ancient constitutional platform that is as impregnable as it is unique.

My contention is that a very large proportion of the worlds wealth is sheltered from taxation by the City. It is unique because it is legal. That is why most other "offshore" tax havens are registered with the City of London. The proposals to have "transaction taxes" and to have proper and open accountancy practises to bring the Euro area into some order would require Britain to repeal the 1690 Act and apply those practises in Britain. The City of London would then be chased by the HMRC as they would not have legal immunity. As Cameron and Osborne have their fortunes registered in the Cayman Islands, I cannot see this ever happening. All the other cabinet members are millionaires and most probably have similar arrangements.

We have 73 billionaires registered in Britain not paying tax. We have 45,000 millionaires and only 6,000 of them pay tax. The run on the Greek Banks was caused by the companies in Greece registering "offshore", they and other wealthy individuals withdrew their money and sent it "offshore". 

98 of the FTSE 100 are registered "offshore". In Spain 80% of their companies are registered "offshore". The share holders of other companies are registered "offshore". It goes on and on. All of these vested interests worth billions will not give in to Europe easily. The idea that it will be good for jobs is farcical. Britain may not be in the Euro Zone but we certainly caused the crisis. Removing minimum employment rights in Britain will not improve the well-being of you average citizen.

Keith C

SELBY DISTRICT COUNCIL HAVE COME UP WITH A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF HOW TO EXPAND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

HERE WE PRODUCE MORE EVIDENCE OF THE EXPANDING PRIVATE SECTOR.

Under the new model, the council will commission rather than deliver services, by setting up an arms-length service delivery vehicle, which will mainly use the third sector and charities to deliver. It will be supported by a core of only 14 council staff at their council, which will initially include the chief executive, but the report said that post was probably unsustainable in the long term.

Mr Harrison said that the Association for Public Services had found that every £1 of local Government spending reinvested 64p in the local economy. He said "Council tax payers  will also ask why they are paying councillors in excess of £4,000 per annum to oversee what will be an annual meeting to review contracts".

So there we have the master plan. Privatise all public sector workers and claim that the public sector has expanded. I hear you ask are there any more jobs? "NO" in fact the private sector (para-state) will have less employees than existed on worse terms and conditions. This is the way that Education and the NHS will proceed. All employees will be AGENCY STAFF. (Keith - C))

PS. The definition of para-state. Their revenue comes entirely from the taxpayer.

MIDLANDS TUC REGION PENSIONERS NETWORK CHAIR AND SECRETARY VISIT THE NEW TUC REGIONAL SECRETARY

THE VISIT TO THE MEET THE NEW REGIONAL TUC SECRETARY ROBERT JOHNSON TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER.

The Network Chair Mike McLoughlin and Secretary Sheena Gordon met the new TUC Regional Secretary Rob Johnson towards the end of November. This proved to be an important opportunity to meet the new secretary who has just recently taken over from his predecessor Cheryl Pidgeon, and to discuss a variety of issues with him. There was a lengthy discussion around where the Network had got to in terms of developing a viable organisation, and the difficulties that we have experienced from time to time in not being able to communicate with trade union members right across the Region. Mike indicated that when he had been invited to address the Regional TUC Executive back in April, that it had been very positive and that he had been well received, and felt that this type of invitation should be repeated when it would prove useful.

Sheena made the point that we have great difficulty in getting our materials and information through the union structures, to the individual members. Rob stated that we can have our minutes and other relevant materials put on the TUC website, if we forward them to the office. Mike pointed out that not all members had computers, and that many of those that did, rarely if ever visited web sites, he stressed that very few trade unionist visited the Retired Members Midlands blog, although it attracted visitors from Canada, USA, China, India, Germany, France etc. It was his view that we also had to make use of old traditional means of communications as well as using electronic methods. Rob went on to state that the TUC could give us practical assistance by printing and helping to distribute leaflets that we design, this material could also be put on the website.

We went on to have a discussion around the issues involved in the forthcoming November 30th strike day on pensions. Rob Indicated that in his view there was going to be a very good response right across the region on November 30th. Mike stated that a lot of work had gone in to trying to get as many pensioners as possible involved in the preparation for the day, as we we very keen to develop a strong alliance between those still in work and retired members. Our efforts had only been partially successful, we were able  to get a speaker on the platform at Nottingham and Derby, in other areas we were much less successful. It is very important that we continue to build a solid working relationship between those in work and those who are retired. It was stated that sometime in the near future we would be seeking Rob's assistance in circulating a financial appeal for the Network, as one of the things that we badly is a suitable banner.

Top Photograph L to R Robert Johnson Midlands Regional TUC Secretary and Sheena Gordon TUC Pensioners Network Secretary. bottom photograph L to R Robert Johnson and Mike McLoughlin TUC Pensioners Network Chair.

Mike & Sheena were very pleased with the meeting as it had proved to be very useful and would be repeated from time to tme as necessary.



TAX DODGING IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND A CAUSE OF CONSIDERABLE CONCERN DURING A PERIOD OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

INSTEAD OF MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IS PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAX - THIS GOVERNMENT IS TURNING A BLIND EYE IN SOME INSTANCES.

This morning we found out that the Governments tax collectors - HMRC - do not seem to have been doing their job properly. Instead of making sure that everyone is paying their fair share of tax, they have agreed to "sweetheart deals" letting big companies off paying billions of pounds. The Government will be hoping that we are all too busy doing our Christmas Shopping and working out how to pay our heating bills, to care about what their tax officers have been up to. But they are wrong.

A huge public outcry and a flood of complaints to HMRC will send a powerful message: We will not stand for the Government giving big business the green light to dodge paying billions in tax. It only takes two minutes a complaint letter to HMRC - we will collect all the letters together and deliver them in the new year: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/complain-to-HMRC

Today's news is full of the shocking details of these deals. The Daily Mail warns "while families, shopkeepers and small businesses are forced to pay their bills in full", big businesses are striking favourable deals and have a "far too cosy" a relationship with HM Revenue and Customs. As many of us prepare for winter on a tight budget, its not hard to imagine that those billions of pounds could have been spent on something better than stuffing the wallets of the most powerful companies in the country. We could have spent it on schools, on hospitals, or making sure that everyone can have a safe, warm home this Christmas time.

We know that tax dodging is a big issue. That is why last month we decided that it should be something that we should make an urgent priority. This is our chance to make sure that we get a fairer system. A people-powered flood of complaints now will surprise HMRC and force them to think again. Send the tax office your letter of complaint now-then we will collect them together to make a huge people-powered impact.  

NORTHAMPTON RESIDENTS 4 RESIDENTS 30TH NOVEMBER SPECIAL - GET ACTIVE, GET ANGRY, AND GET VISIBLE

WE SUPPORTED YOUR ACTION ON NOVEMBER 30TH, AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ANY FURTHER ACTION THAT WILL BE REQUIRED.

We gave our support to the workers who were on strike on November 30th in support of pensions, because we see no reason why anyone should work longer for less, we would have thought that with over 1 million young people without work the case should be made for people to retire sooner and not later. We have friends and family who work in the public sector so we know what they earn and what their pensions are likely to be - we do not take kindly to being lectured to by gold plated hypocrites.

THIS GOVERNMENT OF GOLD PLATED HYPOCRITES

Hyprocite              Salary           Pension            Pension Pot

David Cameron    £142,500       £32,978            £550.725

Francis Maude     £134,565        £43,825                   £731,883

George Osborne  £134,565        £32,978           £550,725

Nick Clegg           £134,565        £28,404            £440,000

Eric Pickles          £134,565        £43,825            £731,883

Vince Cable         £134,565        £39,551            £660,507 

Andrew Lansley   £134,565        £39,551            £660,507 

Danny Alexander £134,565        £26,404            £440,942 

WHO ARE RESIDENTS 4 RESIDENTS

We are a group of tenants living in sheltered accomadation housing in Northampton, perhaps best known for battles over our warden service, however we have had a bit of mission creep over the past few years. Like trying to sort out suitable care plans or engaging legal advocates to take on area's that we are not competent to address.

By the very nature of our housing needs we ARE all either elderly or have a disability and probably rely on our public service more than most. Some of our most frail and vunerable members were unable to be out with us on the 30th, but are aware of the true value of the NHS and the excellent service that it provides.    

David Cameron    £142, 500           £32,000            £550,725

NOVEMBER 30TH STRIKE DAY ACTION IN DEFENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND STATE PENSIONS IN THE MIDLANDS

 Large and successful marches and Rallies took place in most of the large population centres in the Region. 

The March and Rally In Leicester attracted 5000 people and was cheered and encouraged on by the many spectators, it was without question the largest and most successful march and Rally held in Leicester for many decades. The venue of the Rally was large but could only hold a small proportion of the marchers, many of whom stayed outside the venue and networked, there was a great atmosphere. There were many hundreds of pensioners both on the march and in the rally, they came from a vat=riety of trade unions. The Midlands TUC Pensioners Network and the National Pensioners Convention were both very successful in handing out both NPC Newspapers and Network leaflets dealing with pensions issues. The Rally was first class having four main speakers, a number of speakers from the floor, with plenty of good music supplied both by a group and a solo artist - a great day on which to build future activity. The Unite Leicester Branch of the Retired Members Association was well represented on the day.

Nottingham: - there were 7000 marchers and only 900 of them were able to attend the Rally, because of the size of the venue, again the day was very successful with tremendous support from the public. One of the National Pensoioners Convention and TUC Network stalwart (David Jones) did manage to speak during the Rally. He was approached by the Midlands BBC TV afterwards and gave a good interview. again there were many retired members present on the day, as were the Nottingham Pensioners Action Group with their banner.

Derby: - We understand that there were at least two thousand people participting oin the March and Rally in Derby, which was judged to be very successful by its local organisers. The East Midlands Secretary (Brian Herbertson)of the National Pensioners Convention was one of the Speakers from the Rally platform and was well received by the strikers.

Birmingham: - we understand that this March and Rally was very successful with 15,000 paricipants, however we lack detail, although thay did have some very important speakers on the platform. There was also successful events held in Northampton, Lincoln, Burton on Trent and Coalville - all in all it was was a very good day and a highly successful one.