A Citizen's Pension

Mike Hancock and the Lib Dems want to see a better pension. They want to introduce a Citizen's Pension (currently £105.45 per week for a single person), and will be increased in line with average earnings to ensure its real value was protected. This would be at the same level as the "Guarantee Credit" part of the Pension Credit and will be increased in line with average earning to ensure its real value is protected. We guarantee to introduce the Citizen's Pension for all pensioners aged 75 and over in the first full financial year of a Parliament as first step towards providing it for all. Pensioners over 75 will receive at least an extra £25 week on their pension and all pensioner couples will recieve an extra £33

Better Health for Older People

We would introduce free eye and dental checks for all, to promote health and prevent disease. We want NICE to develop a health MOT with patients being called in for a series of screening tests when they need them.

We think all long-term care should be provided free regardless of the setting and the artificial distinction between nursing and personal care should end, to remove the need for pensioners to sell their homes in order to pay for care.

Better Health for Older People

We think that alternative free travel services such as dial-a-ride, community buses and taxi-card systems should be provided in those areas where existing bus and train services are limited.

We think that legislation should be introduced to ensure bus and train operators improve the design of their stock to make them safe and accessible for pensioners and disabled people.The frequency and accessibility of public transport services for pensioners and disabled people to and from local hospitals should also be improved.

Fairer Local Taxation

With the Lib Dems’ “Local Income Tax” you’d have your personal allowance like you do at the moment with national income tax and then pay on average 3.75p in the pound up to £100,000.Pensioners would have a tax free allowance of £6,610 or twice that for a pensioner couple. For example a pensioner on £14,600 would pay £22 in council tax as supposed to £1106 for the average Band D council tax. There are more details at www.axethetax.org