Liberal Democrats highlight pensioner package

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 17th Apr 2005

Charles Kennedy, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has today visited a sheltered housing unit to highlight Liberal Democrat policies for the elderly. Mr Kennedy will be meeting residents at a coffee morning to discuss their concerns about long-term care, pensions entitlement, and the unfair council tax.

Mr Kennedy said "Liberal Democrats would ensure security and dignity in old age, led by more than £100 on the pension every month for the over-75s and free personal care for the elderly. We believe that setting the pension at a decent level will ensure that people who work hard and save hard will not lose out due to the relentless spread of mass means-testing. Entitlement will be based on residence so millions of women will no longer be penalised for raising children or caring for elderly relatives, and will have pensions equality with men.

Mr. Kennedy concluded by saying "Council Tax is unfair. It hurts pensioners hardest of all. Liberal Democrats would abolish council tax and replace it with a fair system, based on ability to pay, benefiting more than eight million pensioners. We will also give all pensioners and disabled people free off-peak local travel on buses, and will fund 10,000 more police on the streets to improve security."