BLACKPOOL PENSIONERS PARLIAMENT 2014.

The Parliament was held in the Wintergardens Blackpool from June 17th to the 19th. The weather was really good almost like being on the Mediterranean coast. Our stay in the Imperial Hotel was comfortable, the staff were all very cherful, friendly and helpful, the general atmosphere was relaxed and a world apart from what we endured in 2013 when we stayed at the Metrpole Hotel. The food was excellent and all of us would be happty to stay there again if required. The Unite Delegation consisted of the following Members:- Alan Jackson (National Chair), Ronnie Morrison, Alan Sidaway, David Morgan (National Vice Chair), Val Burns, Mary Dyer Atkins, Lorene Fabian, Mike McLoughlin. Bill Moores was unable to attend due to having had a recent operation.

The March from the Blackpool Tower: - On the Tuesday afternoon the traditional march from the rear of the of the Blackpool Tower to the Wintergardens started at 1.00PM. Prior to the start of the march approximately 800 people gathered at the assembly point with their banners in glorious sunshine, the numbers were down in comparison with recent years. This reduction in numbers we feel was due in large part to the effect of the coalition’s austerity measures on the nations pensioners. The march set off to the winter gardens with the band playing and all the participants in high spirits in antipication of a great Parliament, there were many young people and local senior citizens showing a keen interest from the sidelines as we marched to the Wintergardens. The onlookers appeared to be more aware of what we were about this year than in previous years, we did not disapoint them as we shouted out appropriate slogans, which signified that we were in high spirits, and looking forward to having a great parliament.

The Opening of Parliament: - After our arrival at the Winter gardens and everyone had settled down the NPC president introduced the Deputy Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Chris Ryan who welcomed us all to Blackpool. He indicated that he takes a keen interest in our work and what we are doing for the pensioner movement, he stated that he is unhappy about what the coalition government is doing to the NHS and also worries about what will happen to the bus pass, and other issues such as care in the community etc. He hoped that we would have a good stay in Blackpool and enjoy the present good weather. The NPC president then presented him with a cheque on behalf of the NPC for the Mayor’s charity.

The first speaker: - This was Claire Keatinge (Older People's Commissioner for Northern Ireland), it was a challenging debate, she spoke about age population, she is a very independent person who is not in anybody’s pocket; she will not kowtow to any public body obstructing her that is not legal. Attitudes to aging vary, some celebte it, others moan about it. Life expectations are rising all over the world, older peole should be assessed and valued. Older people work, pay taxes, give care to their families and deserve recognition for their contribution to society. 43% of pensioners struggle financially. An incredible amount of extra money available in Northern Ireland for pensioners is not claimed. Claire is completely at ease whether she is in conversing with pensioners, councillors , or others. £42 Billion saved through the input of volunteers, we must always remember that older people also have rights, we do have a good care service in Northern Ireland, a better, more caring government is needed. We need to invest in today’s and the next generation of pensioners, which would give people hope, fairness and certainty for the future and to feel respected. We have a good health service and we need to hold on to it.

The second speaker: - This was Neel Radia from the National Association of Care Catering, who stated that we need a better standard of catering, nationally, which is important and vital for older people, we need a formal debate, wheels on wheels is slowly disappearing. This service has been around for 70 years, it was set up by the WRVS in 1943, this is an important service, there is no state help for this service, so councils take a short cut on the meals on wheels service. The politicians must protect this vital and important service, 56 councils i.e. 25% have cancelled services, this is not a luxury, but a life line for many pensioners. This service keeps people out of hospital which costs £250 per night; malnutrition costs the NHS £30 million per year. The existing service saves the NHS billions of pounds on care, we do need meals on wheels, this should be in the statuate book, we must do all we can do to save this vital service. The main benefits are nutrition, hydration, relief of social ioolation ets.

The third speaker: - Belinda Turffrey from 38 Degrees, said that we campaign on various issues, we have 2.6 million members and it is small donations that keep our movement going. We are frequently critised for being political, but all the issues that we take up are political, this is a key organisation in the campaigning sector, where we have many key issues :- NHS, the world we live in, zero hour contracts, keep toilets open, campainging for bus stops, austerity britain, childcare costs, and against the government condemning charity campaigning (gagging law) this will kill of many campaigning groups in the future. 38 Degrees is an online campaigning group and needs to be listened to, we do have the power in our hands, older people are an important part of the system, we care about older people issues. The elderly have considerable clout when used properly. This Parliament is trying to gag 38 Degrees, the amount of money that we are now allowed to spend has been reduced by 2/3 thirds. 38 degrees will finish up spending monety on lawyers fees.

The forth speaker: - We were addressed by Samantha Niclew from Age (UK)) Sam is the campaigning officer, she said that social care is not so well known or understood, the lack of awareness can keep you unaware of this valuable asset of the NHS. This is a life line, it does not cost much, as it is so cheap, you would think that the government would grab it with both hands and take it on, but this government has taken with one hand and given less back , no help for the infirm , some have even been pushed out of the care scheme system, not enough funding from government, older people care for others with love. Unfunded care is hurting older vulnerable pensioners, Age UK will campaign before the election next May, social care has been overlooked for too long, we urgently need a well thought out care service with a positive message, NPC will support this campaign in the run up to the next General Election in 2015. There is currently no care provision for the carers, thay are not given time to care properly for the people that they are meant to help, their training and working conditions are very inadequate.

The fifth speaker: - This was Jim Donovan, President of an Australian Trade Union. In Australia there is not one difference between their system and ours, in the way that the money is spent on older people, they take the money from the poor and give it to the rich. They have taken millions of Dollars out of the care services and pensions are at risk, but the rich are left unaffected. They take away all that we have fought for over the years, the powers to be do not care, you are not here to be beaten and have governments take away conditions that have been fought for over our working lives, and they are not to get it now that we are retired.

The sixth and final speaker for this session: - This was Owen Jones a Guardian columnist, he started by saying he can feel an army of pensioners that should make the government shudder, we are not a walk over, a sacred heritage the NHS, it was a gift made to the next generation, it is not the young against the old, it is the rich against the poor, the top against the bottom, it is a slash and burn against our NHS, it is an attack on all that our parents and grandparents have achieved. We need to have faith in the future and the care service. The future is debt and insecurity on the ones who are not the children of the rich, we need solidarity across the generations,”an injury to one is an injury to all”. This is the worse economical recovery since Victorian times, it was the bankers that put us into this mess, they want to dismantle our NHS and hand it over to the foreign rich, it is an insult of our union system and they need to increase the growth of privatisation in the NHS. Millions of people are now reliant on Food banks, loan sharks, how do you build a life? The “bedroom tax, which is intended to put people into smaller homes that do not exist , there is so much fear out there, but what really is missing is “hope”. It is a political “divide and rule”. Workers need a living wage, councils need to be able to build social housing, but what about those at the top, who do not pay tax IE Amazon, Wall Mart, Starbucks and many of our footballers and show business stars etc. Governments are out of touch with ordinary people, it is the struggle of ordinary people that will put this country back on it feet, and not those at the top, who know only how to exploit their fellow human beings. It is the struggle of our grandparents, who fought and won the benefits that we now have, and they are being stripped away from us by this coalition government. We must learn from what has gone before, remember what was won in 1948 and insist that it must be returned to us.

Dot Gibson NPC General Secretary: - Wound up the first days proceedings by stating that our bus services in rural areas, bus passes, TV licences for the over 75’s and the NHS remaining in the public domain were all under attack by this coalition government. They are spending money on war weapons, Trident, computer invasion, but not on eliminating fuel poverty for the aged. What is needed is to inject MPs with a fairness drug. The top priorities are :- a fair basic state pension, repeal the “gagging law”, we must stand by Oxfam in their fight not to be silenced by this government. We need the “dignity code” do not let them drive us down, lets get ready for next May, if we do not stand firm now for what we did in 1948, then our future will be very bleak. We must strive to do what we can to acheive a better future, we must fight for our future, this is our manifesto for 2015. In conclusion we have to say that the NPC had organised a great panel of speakers for the first day who were all on balance progressive in ther views, the speaker who most inspired some of the Unite delegates was Owen Jones the Guardian Colmunist.

The Unite Stall at the Parliament: - There were not as many stalls as we used to have at the parliament some years ago, however we did have three stalls more this year than we had in 2013. The Unite Yorkshire & Humberside Stall was in a promenent positon, it was well laid out and was very well scocked with Unite materials. Carrier bags had been provided by both the West Midlands and the South East Regions. The carrier bags which were supplied by the West Midlands were packed with giveaways, and proved to be very poplar on the first day and greatly contributed to the success of the stall. The stall was manned at all times during the Parliament and it distributed hundreds of application forms for Joining “Retired Members Plus”; It aslo gave information on the Retired Members structure and the Community branches. On the evening of June 17th, Unite held a social evening (hosted by the Yorkshire & Humberside region) in the Blackpool British Legion Club, which was well attended and proved to be most enjoyable. The buffet that was laid on was first class and went down well. This stall was a great shop window for Unite and its Retired Members, it is most important that we continue to run it in other years and widen the base of its support.

DAY TWO 18TH JUNE 2014 .

“The Campaign against Loneliness”: - The two speakers were Jack Neill-Hill and Neel Radia. Jack in his contribution stated that it was only by working together would there be any possibility of us getting the government to take seriously the problems caused by lonliness and isolation. Loneliness, and isolation, are different, as is social isolation, loneliness is the unwelcome feeling of not been wanted, 10% of over 65s are often always lonely, 17% see their family once a week, particularly the lack of public transport in rural area’s can stop people getting out and about. Retirement, bereavement, and giving up driving can lead to loneliness. Loneliness is a bigger killer than obesity, loneliness should be highlighted by the councils, G.P.s don't understand loneliness and need educating on this subject. We must protect public transport, the bus pass, park benches, and public toilets, if you take these facilities away then pensioners are much less inclined to go out and they will remain lonely. Loneliness is becoming a greater social problem, with many older people becoming either “mildly” or “intensely” lonely, the emotional pain that loneliness can cause, can also harm our physical and mental health. Research has revealed that the impact of loneliness and isolation on early death is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, the Facts :- ½ of all older people say television is their main company, 50% of people with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival, 6% of older people leave their house once a week or less, this is our fight to end loneliness support the campaign to end loneliness. The point was made from the floor that it is possible to be lonely in a room full of people, if no one speakes to you and you arrive alone.Most people go to lunch clubs and other events with a friend or group of friends. It is important for organisers to recognise this and make sure that these loners are drawn into the group and made to feel included. Care Catering for the elderly: - Neel Radia spoke about care catering (see yesterdays report), she spoke about the need for the generations to work together, S.O.P.A, men's sheds, stated that the medical practices should amalgamate, so that they could be on call 24 hours a day so all people could be helped ,when the need arises this was accepted as a good motion and will go to be ratified. Neel also spoke about care-call and how this would help older people to stay in their own homes. Neel went on to say that home help is now the care service and this must not turn into a commercial council service. Carers should be allowed to slow down and give an extra “five” minutes care to eack patient, this would help so much, some people do not have any time these days, so we must make time and slow down. How do we educate our families to care for older parents and spend more time with them? We must re-educate the younger people to achieve this end.

The NHS Workshop: - This workshop was titled “Where Next for the NHS” Dr Tim Ballard of the Royal College of GPs made the following points in his contribution: Continuity of care important for all but especially for the elderly, most consultations only last 10 minutes, which is not long enough. Care needs to be more local, since 2005/2006 funding has dropped by 25% there is no cap on the lack of funding, some practices are now either folding up, or threatened with closure. Lack of hospital staff is also affecting GP’s. High quality care is very important, one million people seek medical care each day, 90% of whom are seen in general care. End Of Life Care: - Most peole would like to die at home, high quality basic care is very important. Some practices are now amalgamating for the purpose of being able to give better care. Consultations on this issue need to be longer and funding restored to its 2005/2006 levels. Marmot Report (2 years ago) looked at issues such as fuel poverty and increased mortality in winter months. New boiler cheaper than treating long term chest dieseaes in hospital. He then gave a report of the General Practice funding and it surprised us to learn that they only get eight percent of the national health budget. Also in many areas special funding that GP surgeries have traditionally received, for instance, if they have a large immigration groups within their area, has been cut. This is having a disastrous effect in these areas and at least one GP practice in Tower Hamlets has been shut down. He stated that the Royal College of GP’s have now signed the NPC Dignity Code.

Dr Louise Irvine Chair of save the Lewisham Hospital Campaign: - Gave us an insight into the effects of the Social Care Act. The Coalition Government promised not to decimate the NHS. The Government claims that this reform of the NHS is not privatisation because treatment is still free at the point of use. But commissioning costs more at the edges. In the pursuit of profit staff levels are being reduced, and there is an increas of skill mix, which results in greater work loads, more stress and less skill. If we do not act, there will be a drip, drip into private care. We are faced with a situation where hospital care is diminishing and the care provided in the community is inadequate. She stated that the saving of the Lewisham hospital has shown what can be achieved when the whole community comes together and works together to protect what is theirs; she urged us to fight closures within our own areas as they arise.

Standing up for women: - During the lunch break (Lorene) attended the Standing up for Women group where the discussion centered around the issue of the terrible position many retired women were in due to receiving low state pensions. They also discussed the devastating effect that the loss of our bus passes would have on many pensioners if this were to happen. In fact, it was felt that transport as a whole was very difficult for older and disabled people. The fight to keep the ticket offices in London open was discussed, and is seen as a campaign which is very much ongoing.

The Future of Pensions and Benefits: - There were three speakers, Eddie Lynch (Hands off Campaign and Age Platform: Northern Ireland), Daniela Silcock (Pensions Policy Institute), and Neil Duncan-Jordan (NPC). The new pensions will be based on average earnigs, universal credit will be fully implemented by 2017. A couples pension will be assessed differently - the retirement pension age will go up to 66 in 2022 and then rise to 67 in 2028. They all made very good contributions and answered questions from the floor. The last person to speak was Neil Duncan- Jordan. Below are some of the points made by him: - The new pension will be roughly £155 per week, you will be able to cash in your pension pot and buy back extra contribution years, it is all very confusing. The new pension will be a combination of the present basic state pension and the second state pension. Low paid workers will all finish up with a crap pension, Low pay will always equate to a low pension. 4 out of 5 pensioners will not get the £155 per week, we will have a two tier system, it is also unclear how the pensions are going to rise each year £113 x 2.5% and £155 x 2.5%, if that is how it will be done then the gap will widen each year.

The number of years required to qualify for the stste pension was 30/30th’s in 2010, after 2016 if you only have 30 years paid up NI stamps then your pension will be 30/35th’s. People are now going to have to work longer and pay more for their pensions. The coalition government in 2010 got rid of the RPI and substituted CPI - we need RPI back as the vechile for calculating pension increases so as to enable pensions to stay in step with the increse in the cost of livinmg. We are just about bottom of the pension league and are only just above Mexico. There is a lot of poverty amongst female pensioners, we need to have the same pension for everyone. The present state pension policy was introduced to make private company pension schemes worse (most are now gone), and make a better playing field for Insurance companies to sell private pensions ( which are inferior as they are mostly money purchase schemes). The government wants to do way with pension credits, why not invest in a second state pension, and invest the money contributed into the scheme for building houses, schools etc. This government is trying very hard to drive wedges between the old and young generation, we must under no circumstances allow this to happen, we must build alliances between young and old. Finally getting rid of the bus passes will not save money.

Afternoon Session

Dignity in Care Workshop:- In the afternoon, I (Lorene) attended the Dignity in Care workshop and I have to say that because people were talking at length about their personal issues, which I do understand, we only discussed care homes and didn’t get round to care at home which was quite frustrating. There were many differing views and one person said that it might help if CCTV were to be fitted in all care homes. This idea was not welcomed by most delegates. One thing that is outrageous is that sacking workers who were clearly abusing elderly people was acceptable, but why were the owners being left to carry on as normal. We did discuss Andy Burnham’s Paper on care which was quite positive and did go some way to proposing a national care service. However, we are told, Ed Balls and may of the shadow cabinet were not at all of this view. For this reason we should write to our Labour MPs and urge them to support the Andy Burnham plan

“A Bus Pass, But No Buses: - This session consisted of a very good panel consisting of councillor Peter Box (Local Government Association) John Birtwistle (first bus group) and Peter Rayner (Vice President NPC). Peter Raynor was the first to speak and told members not to look at the history, as this has been told many times, but to say we are the solution not the drag, we are of value, but the problem for us is where we have got to, fewer buses, no guards, on the trains, no lights on stations, with many of them now unmanned and older people feel that this is a threat to their safety, we are the answer? John Birtwistle then spoke and informed us that the first group carried 2 ½ million passengers per year, in the UK we have 3 schemes, Scotland, Wales which are run by their governments and in England they are run by the local councils, they get 45% reimbursement from the council, £120,000 per bus P.A. To run buses the operators suffer hardship. The third speaker Peter Box stated that the concession's should be compulsory and funded by the government, and stop civil servants interfering with the rules. If there were no bus passes, this lwould lead to pensioners becoming isolated, which is a killer, pensioners need to get out of their homes. We are all committed to retaining the bus pass and it will continue whatever they might say, we need certainly on funding, why does the government not try to make it better, they should renationalise the buses and trains, bring them back into public ownership. Peter agrees with this policy and is very much in favour of the re-nationalisation of the East Coast Line, which is now begining to benefit from increase investment by the Government. Even younger people say that transport is their biggest issue. John Birtwistle then came back, and said in summing up, that local concessionary travel schemes is not the answer, a national scheme over the whole of the UK was the answer and the best solution. At the moment cross subsidy is illegal but why cannot the law be changed and then take back transport into public ownership. The bus pass has enormous benefit for older people, far from being tomorrow's problem, it will be part of tomorrow's solution.

Introduction to Parliamentary Campaigning: - The speaker was Gary Hart, Parliamentary Outreach Services - North West Regional Officer, his contribution was somewhat lengthy, with masses of important facts put acrooss very expertly. This was a really enjoyable session, breaking new ground for many and gave us an insight in how to make use of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. He described the many ways in which peitions can be pursued through Parliament, and supplied a number of booklets whcih explained preciously how to pursue these avenues. If you want a response to your motion you will require at least 10,000 signitures, if your petition contains a 100,000 signitures then there is a posibility that it could be debated in the house. There are 650 MP’s, currently in a fixed five year parliament, which is not very popular with some members of the House and may yet be repealed. There has been some attempts to modernise parliament, but this process has not yet been completed. There are currently 92 hereditery peers, 26 Church of England Bishops, and 716 life peers, who are chosen by the Prime Minister. MP’s have to submit wriiten questions to ministers in advance, but when being answered can then ask supplementary questions (Monday to Thursday), Prime Ministers question time is on Wednesdays PM. Any MP can request a debate which can last up to 1.5 hours, any MP can sign an early day motion, which usually acts as a sounding post about how MP’s may feel on a particular subject or issue. Private Members bills, there are usually between 3 to 10 of these per year. The 5 Man Select Committee-House of Lords is becoming more prominent - Public Bill Committee- House of Commons. All Party Parliamentary Groups - there are over 600 in Parliament and covers area’s such as Football, Cuba, etc. Strange as it may seem the only person allowed to drink alcoholic on the floor of the House of Commons is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Select committee is a group of Ministers who advise the Prime Minister. Scottish Referdendum Fringe Meeting.

Bill Martin was the only person to sit on the panel and he was in the Yes Camp, as unfortunately the speaker from the No Camp failed to turn up. The chair said that he was unbiased and would not speak for either side. Bill said that our policy was to ensure that the Scottish people will control Scotland through the Scottish parliament, Scotland will not be deciding who will control England, the Labour Party did not win the election with Scottish votes, Scotland will be better run by a Scottish Parliament than from Westminister, it is not old wounds, it is not the present policy of Labour, it is not a new identity, but just a devolved matter? The issue of the pension protection fund was raised? This fund was set up by the UK government and do you think Westminster would hand over the Scottish share of this? We had a share in this fund so we should get our proportion back, it is the Scottish people money. Alex Salmon, where does he stand after the referendum, he will not be there for ever. Currency, English politicians are the only ones listening to the poverty argument , food banks, economy, oil and gas prices, Scottish university’s are thriving, Who do we vote for in England if we spilt, we will lose our vote for Westminster, the SNP are not trying to force socialism on to the Scottish people, Scottish people cannot hold Scottish people to ransom over politics, breaking up Britain is good news for Scotland, good news for England, most of England do not want Scotland to be part of the UK, independence does not mean we are going to disappear, we will be good neighbours and will work for the good of all. This report is only reflecting the yes vote as we did not have anybody speaking in favour of the no vote. However it was a good meeting run by the Scottish Pensioners forum and was well attended, It was the distinct impression of this non Scottish observer that the mjority of this well attended meeting were not in favour of beeaking up the union.

DAY THREE 19TH JUNE 2014

Dot Gibson opened up on this final day by saying, it has been a good parliament, the NPC is a fighting organisation, this has cost us £6000, and not so many coming as in previous years due to the present austerity that is having a severe effect on most of the population. The question is “can we afford an ageing population?”, it is claimed by some politicians that the baby boomer's are taking up resources that should be used to enable young people to secure a better start in life; she then invited the panel to discuss the subject in detail. The panel consisted of Stephen Burke (United for Age), Anthony Curley (TUC youth forum), David McCullough (Royal Voluntary Services) and Jay McKenna “Can we afford an ageing population?”

Stephen Burke Opened the Discussion; - by saying this was a silly Question, but has caused a large debate, it must not be a war between generations, we are still the 6th richest country in the world and we are still paying for Trident. We need a fairer taxation system for a meaningful life, we are going into another baby boomer so we must look at the following. 1 recognise and support the contribution made by retired people to the economy. 2 Take a life course :- work, pensions. 3 Mutual action to prevent loneliness across the generations. 4 ageism is rife, what do we need to do? Housing for all ages, a taxation that is fair and avoid tax avoidance, young people would help if they are encouraged.

David McCullough Spoke Next; - he stated that we must allow older people to stay in their own homes. In 1948 48% of people did not make it to 65, in 2014 it is down to 14% due to better care. £136 billion is the cost of supporting older people, but, we pay £45 billion in tax, we spend £77 billion, £35in volunteering and £20 billion in other taxes, we pay £175 billion into the economy, that is £40 billion in excess of what we cost. As a nation we are £1275 billion in debt and it will take till 2019 before we are clear, hospital’s are in debt, and the situation is getting worse; so we need to support each other, we are now fitter and good at volunteering.

Jay McKenna was next: - He stated that it should not be “can” but “will”. How can we blame 15/16 year old's for the things that have gone wrong? We are robbing Peter to pay Paul, future generations are going to be worse off than their parents, we must be seen to be working together and bring our campaigns together, how do we afford it, Dot says we must not be divided.

Another Viewpoint of the Above Discussion

Thursday morning’s session was very good. Although I was surprised that Stephen Burke, United for All Ages, was actually proposing that we did not have the money to support an ageing population, although, the rest of his contribution was good. I totally disagree with that view as did many in the audience. I was again, impressed by the youngest panel member Jay McKenna from the TUC Youth Forum, who made an excellent contribution and urged that we develop our vision together. The question we constantly seem to be faced with is CAN WE AFFORD OLDER PEOPLE. Our answer to that is, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THEM IF WE CAN’T AFFORD THEM. One delegate went as far as to say this is a form of fascism. However, when you look at spending choices, lets look at all spending choices. Why do we need Trident ? Whey do we need to continually feed the arms race ? Why can’t we have a progressive tax system ? Out of the Gross Domestice Product 53% goes to workers and we are witnessing the largest decline in living standards since Queen Victoria’s time (1870)

Keynote Speech.

Winding up the parliament, Steve Turner AGS (Director of Policy, Unite the Union) that this was a good session, Unite is in solidarity with the NPC, pensioners bring energy to the younger people’s struggle, it is the same struggle we had many years ago, it was our win that gave us what we have and the Tories are taking it away, we won the NHS, decent social homes, decent pensions, the generation that stood up for our rights, free education. We have lots of challenges and must fight to keep them. We have a responsibility to stand up to this struggle, we are looking for hope, without hope there is despair, the social gross product has been reduced from 65% to 53%. There are more billionaires living in London than any where else on Earth. 5% of the population own 90% of the nation’s wealth. Energy bills rising, food prices rising, we must get rid of the “bedroom tax”. If we have to we will fight outside the law.

The conference finished at 12.30 PM with the audiance singing 1. HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE ( 1864 FROM DICKENS “HARD TIMES”) 2. A LIFE WORTH LIVING to the tune of John Browns body, then all stood to sing Jack Jones song KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END OF THE ROAD In Conclusion

In the opinion of the majority of the delegation this was an excellent parliament, although the numbers were down on previous years, the quality and organisation of the various sessions were excellent. The Speakers on the first day were top quality and not to be missed. One member of the delegation did express the view that this was the worst parliament that he had ever attended - this was clearly a minority view. This was the last Pensioners Parliament before the General election in 2015 and we have a lot of work to do, to ensure that the messge of of the NPC “Pensioners Manifesto 2015” (shown below) is widely circulated and understood, by pensions and future pensioners.The main messages that came out of the conference was they we must all stay togrther, campaign together to get the message over to the future pensioners who are still in work that they need to campaign for better pensions and to give their support to the young. We also need as a society to get rid of the “Zero Hour’s” option which is a national disgrace. Last but not least we need to look for ways in which to help the NPC become financially more viable, if we fail we could lose the only umbrella vehicle that we have, that can, and does represent us, and organises campaigns on our behalf at national level. Finally it has to said that on Day one we had brillaint speakers, but most people with hearing aids really had to struggle with very poor acoustics in the Ball room and there being no hearing loop. Also some people could not attend the Scottish fringe meeting as it was downstairs and the lifts were not working. These issues need to be addressed before the 2015 Parliament. Pensioners Manifesto 2015 Despite what some may claim,Britain’s older generation are not to blame for the economic crisis. Neither does it help when the media suggests that there is a conflict between young and old, especially when the age groups share the same concerns over affordable housing, public transport, low incomes and retirement ages. But growing older can be a real challenge. Britain’s state pension is amongst the least adequate in the developed world, some of the stories surrounding the care of older people are absolutely shocking and last winter over 30,000 pensioners died from the cold. A Country can be said to be judged by the way it treats its young and older members. That is why we need a series of policies that improve the lives of Britain’s 11 million pensioners, as well as protecting future generations of older people. At the General Election we will call on parliamentary candidates to support our Pensioners Manifesto that will put the concerns of older people at the heart of the political process. ● A basic state pension for all, set above the poverty level of £175 per week. ● Increases in pensions to be linked to the best of RPI, CPI, earnings or 2.5%. ● Universal Pensioner benefits (bus pass, winter fuel allowance, free TV licences for the over 75’s and free prescriptions) to be maintained without means-testing. ● A National Health and Care Service which is free at the point of use and funded through taxaction. ● A legally binding Dignity Code to improve the quality and standards of care for older people.

The contributions to this report were received from Alan Sidaway, Ronnie Morrison, Lorene Fabian (this was my first visit to the Blackpool Pensioners Parliament and I thoroughly enjoyed and gained much information from it), (Alf Wall, who was also on his first vist to the Pensioners Parliament & Gillian McLoughlin, East Midlands) Mike McLoughlin, and Mary Dyer-Atkins.

Report edited by Mike McLoughlin July 17th 2015.