£100 a month boost for 7,000 local pensioners under Lib Dem pensions plans

9.58.33am GMT Fri 11th Mar 2005

Jo Swinson - fighting for a fair deal for pensioners

The Liberal Democrats have launched the most generous package for older people on offer from any major political party.

Among other proposals in the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for Older People, 6,960 pensioners in East Dunbartonshire aged over 75 will get more than £100 a month extra on their pension, or more than £140 a month for a pensioner couple.

East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman Jo Swinson has warmly welcomed the plans, saying:

"It's time that older people were treated with the respect they deserve by politicians.

"Our carefully costed package is worth nearly £7 billion a year over and above what Labour is currently offering to pensioners - and over £4 billion more than the Conservatives.

"Our proposals will lift the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty and tackle the scandal where so many women pensioners are not entitled to a basic pension in their own right.

"Our plans to scrap Council Tax will benefit eight million pensioners, with six million paying no local tax at all. Pensioners would save far more than under the Conservatives' rebate proposal.

"Neither of the other parties are offering these policies. This will be by far the best deal on offer to pensioners from any party at the coming general election.

"The Liberal Democrat message to older citizens is: we understand our debt to you. We have the policies that will deliver you a fair deal in your retirement."