THE NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION (NPC) AS PART OF ITS FUEL POVERTY CAMPAIGN SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF THE LABOUR PARTY ON THIS ISSUE

The NPC outlined its opposition to the cut in the winter fuel allowance when it met

the Shadow Pensions Minister.

The National pensioners Convention (NPC) delegation at its recent meeting with Gregg McClymont the Shadow pensions Minister, outlined its opposition to the recent cut in the winter fuel allowance, and asked him what was the Labour Party's view in the light of Ed Milliband's recent comments (not to raise the allowance in four year's time). In reply Gregg McClymont stated: - Labour policy is still being developed on this and many other issues, as part of an ongoing review. It is unlikely to have any specific proposals until much nearer the general election.

It was also agreed that the NPC would provide further information and a follow up meeting would be held in due course.

Fuel Poverty Campaign

• The latest information from the NHS Information Centre reveals that the increased toll of hypothermia over the past five years coincides with a surge in energy costs, especially gas prices which have gone up by 40 per cent. It is widely acknowledged that at least 3m older people live in fuel poverty, spending more than 10% of their income on energy bills. However, at the same time the parent companies of Britain's big six energy firms are expected to announce total profits of £15 billion in the next few weeks.
• The NPC's campaign for the winter fuel allowance is to be increased to £500 for all pensioner households now becomes even more important - given that the Government has previously said that it would freeze the payment for the next four years. We have also issued detailed information on the weaknesses of the Warm Homes Discount scheme and the cold weather payments. 
• In addition, the NPC continues to hold discussions with Greenpeace to See what further action might be taken on this issue throughout 2012.

HOW SAFE IS OUR BUS PASS IN THE HANDS OF NICK CLEGG AND THE COALITION GOVERNMENT

The Deputy Prime Minister has been indulging in what can best be described

as "Simplistic Sloganeering" 

• The Deputy Prime Minister is on record as calling for the bus pass to be means-tested. Mr Clegg's justification is to argue that millionaire pensioners are ruining the economy by claiming their free bus pass when they simply do not need it.
• However, this is a bit of shroud waving. Official figures show that 6m pensioners do not pay tax, 4m pay at the standard rate and 400,000 pay at the top rate. Therefore in order to raise serious amounts of money, the means tested line would have to be drawn not just at millionaire pensioners but to include not just the well off pensioners, but the 4m who have an income just above the £10,000 per year.
• Whilst denials have now been issued and the Prime Minister has reiterated that the bus pass is "Safe", we must remember that only through our continuous protest and indignation at the prospect of withdrawal, do we make it increasingly difficult for anyone to actually move against. Supporters are therefore encouraged to sign the online petition:
• http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions.28908

Go back to work and downsize!

A senior Number 10 aide has suggested that older people should downsize to smaller properties and return to the workplace as a way of solving the country's housing crisis and ending loneliness. Whilst on the face of it such comments can be easily dismissed, they come as the latest in a fairly long line of "anti-pensioner" comments. "The economy is in ruins because of free bus passes, the NHS is crumbling because of an ageing population and young people cannot afford to buy  a house because older people are refusing to move.

Such comments are seeking to blame older people for the economic situation and are seeking to lay the ground for the purpose to either remove or diminish the hard won benefits such as the winter fuel allowance. The national Pensioners Convention (NPC) has appeared regularly in the media on this issue because it is important that we continue to promote the valuable economic and social contribution that older people make to society through charity work, volunteering and unpaid caring for family members.  

 

 

THE NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION HAS LAUNCHED TODAY ITS NEW CODE ESTABLISHED TO SAFEGUARD OLDER PEOPLE'S DIGNITY IN CARE

NEW CODE ESTABLISHED TO SAFEGUARD OLDER PEOPLE'S DIGNITY IN CARE.

Britain's biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioner Convention (NPC) today (Wednesday February 22nd) launched a high profile Dignity Code which sets out minimum standards for the dignified treatment of older people, whether in hospital or in the community. The code has been widely supported by both those in the care sector and across the political spectrum. Signatories includes the care minister Paul Burstow and his opposite number Liz Kendall, along with Dame Jo Williams of the Care Quality Commission, Dr Peter Carter of the RCN, and Lord Stewart Sutherland, chair of the Royal Commission on long-term care.

The NPC is also calling on the public to support this initiative by signing an on line petition. Campaigners are hoping to attract over 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the House of Commons on the need to improve the care of Britain's elderly. The petition can be signed at: -

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27050

 Dot Gibson, NPC General Secretary said: "Every week we are struck by another headline which reveals the neglect and ill treatment of older people either in their own home, a care home or hospital. This has got to stop. Much of what the Dignity Code calls for is to treat individuals as human beings, rather than as second-class citizens who can have their feelings ignored and overlooked. Providing someone with personal dignity must be a basic requirement in any care setting - and there must be no excuse for denying someone their right to be treated with respect. The code should be seen in every GP's surgery, social services department, hospital ward, and nursing home. Individuals and their families should have confidence that certain practises will be unacceptable and that they can demand better treatment. This is a first step on the long road to getting 21st century care for Britain's older patients. For more information contact Neil Duncan-Jordan on 07940-357-608. 

The signatories to the NPC Dignity Code include: -

Dot Gibson General Secretary National Pensioners Convention, Paul Burstow MP, Care Minister. Dave Prentiss General Secretary UNISON, Brendan Barber General Secretary TUC, Dr Peter Carter Chief Executive and General Secretary RCN, Baroness Sally Greengross EHR Commissioner, Lord Stewart Sutherland Chair Royal Commission on Long Term Care, Rodney Bickerstaff Chair National Pensioners Education and Welfare Centre, Gary Fitzgerald Chief Executive Action and Elder Abuse, Ciaran Devane Chief Executive for Macmillan Cancer Support, Michelle Mitchell Chief Director Age UK, Ruth Marks older People's Commissioner for Wales, Dame Jo Williams Chair Care Quality Commission, Martin Green Chief Executive English Community Care Association, Allan Bowman Chief Executive Social Care Institute for Excellence, Penny Thompson Chief Executive General Social Care Council, Brendan Johnston Chief Executive Northern Ireland Care Council, Annette Bruton Chief Executive Scottish Care Inspectorate, Professor Alan walker Sheffield University, and Professor Julienne Meyer city University and London.



THE NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION'S ANNUAL PENSIONERS PARLIAMENT WILL BE HELD IN THE WINTER GARDENS BLACKPOOL FROM 19-21 JUNE 2012

Arrangements for the holding of his years pensioners Parliament in Blackpool are

now well under way.

Arrangements for this years event is progressing. The broad format will be an opening march (from the traditional starting point on the promenade) and rally on day one with a range of speakers. There will be separate individual sessions on day two covering pensions, social care, the NHS, transport, fuel poverty and housing issues, with a closing keynote speech by professor Alan Walker.

• Plans are also being made to have a special session with the Care Minister, who will take questions from delegates (details to be arranged).
• In addition we are booking Mike Pender's Searchers to provide the entertainment on the Wednesday evening, and invitations to exhibitors have been issued.
• Given the additional cost of hiring the venue this year (owing to a cut of £6,000 in the council grant) efforts should be made to increase attendance as well as income from stalls and fund raising.
• A provisional programme is now available on line.

 

WHO WILL BE CASHING IN ON THE HEALTH BILL? - The NHS MATTERS AND MUST BE RESCUED FROM THE CLUTCHES OF PRIVATISATION

DESTABILISING OUR HEALTH CARE SERVICE? HOW PRIVATE COMPANIES COULD THREATEN THE ETHICS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE NHS.

Commercial companies are preparing to cash in on a multi billion pound opportunity to run the NHS hospital services - according to our latest report. Examining the business strategy of leading private health care providers, we found them to be highly enthusiastic about the Governments changes to the NHS and the business opportunities that they will create. They are among the few organisations who are in support of the proposed reforms. However, our detailed analysis of six health care providers actively seeking NHS contracts suggests that their commercial interests will inevitably clash with those of the NHS and its patients.

Commercial providers plan to expand on the back of the new opportunities for more private/NHS partnerships. The UK's two largest providers of private inpatient care believe that the pressure on the NHS to make savings will mean a boost for the self-pay and insurance market. BMI/GHG and HCA international are planning to help NHS trusts raise their income by developing their own private patient units - one of the commercial opportunities created by the Government's controversial health bill.

There is a strong interest in contracts to run entire NHS hospitals. Circle won a race against 11 bidders, the first contract of its kind, to manage the Hinchingbrooke NHS hospital. That contract began on February 1st and is part of a market opportunity worth billions. Our report identifies clear dangers from becoming more reliant on the private sector to treat NHS patients. Public statements from providers like Ramsay Health indicate that they would be willing to walk away from contracts which were not creating enough profit.

Four of the companies analyzed in the report have large investments from private equity companies, which could force changes in a company's business strategy to suit their own profit motives but undermine the care of the NHS patients. Circle and BMI are both backed by private equity firms and have structured their assets so that property can be disposed of when the market is right or have property already managed as a separate business. This approach is widely considered to be a major reason for the financial mess that the care-home provider Southern Cross found itself in.

The business record of some of the new providers also raises doubts about their suitability as providers in the NHS. Our report highlights companies with connections to corporate fraud and illegal kidney transplantation - which brings into question whether some commercial companies would uphold the values of the NHS, as would be their duty under the NHS Constitution.

HELP US FUND THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE OUR NHS.

We believe that the NHS should provide comphrensive health care to all those who need it, regardless of their income. It should be fair and free at the point of use. It has proven itself to work well when properly supported - but it does need public support - Please Donate.

From: James=nhscampaign.org@mall49.us1.rsgsv.net on behalf of the NHS Support Federation.



THE UNITED STATES PRIMARIES TO ELECT A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TO RUN AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA IN THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIOND IN 2012

OUR OBSERVATIONS OF ONE OF THE LEADING CANDIDATES (MITT ROMNEY) SUGGEST THAT HE IS NOT FAR ENOUGH TO THE RIGHT FOR MANY REPUBLICANS.

We are led to believe that Mitt Romney is somehow not conservative enough for his party. Well this is what he supports: -

" He is a champion for private equity gamblers - buccaneer bankers - corporate raiders. He supports repealing Wall Street Reforms - he favoured the republican effort to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Board - he wants a weaker Environmental protection Agency and supports anti-union right-to-work legislation.

 Are we sure that we want to export this form of democracy to the rest of the world? Read "The life and death of democracy" by John Keane. This just a little reading of some 958 pages.

As Hancock's Half Hour said "Magna Darta. Did she die in vain". We now have the script writers of Hancock's Half Hour writing the speeches of most of the political leadership in the world but they take it for real.

Keith C