Charles Kennedy promises dignity for pensioners in Vauxhall

5.26.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Apr 2005

Charles Kennedy and Lib Dem candidate Charles Anglin in Vauxhall

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy visited a sheltered housing unit in Vauxhall to highlight Liberal Democrat policies for the elderly.

"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.' Charles Kennedy said.

"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,' he continued.

Entitlement will be based on residence, rather than National Insurance contributions, thus creating fairer pensions for women. 'Millions of women will no longer be penalised for raising children or caring for elderly relatives,' Kennedy said.

The Liberal Democrats will introduce an earnings-linked citizen's pension at the level of the Guarantee Credit for all pensioners aged over 75. This will be worth £109.45 a week for single pensioners - more than £100 a month extra. Pensioner couples will get £167.05 a week - more than £140 a month extra.

Further Lib Dem policies include free off-peak local travel on buses for pensioners and disabled people.

Vauxhall's Liberal Democrat candidate, Charles Anglin, also highlighted the way in which Lib Dems' plans for a local income tax would help pensioners. 'The Council Tax hits the poorest hardest. It's already unfair to pensioners and people on fixed incomes. With re-banding everyone will be hurt. It's time to scrap it,' Anglin said.

Labour plans to revalue homes for Council Tax in 2007. Nationally house prices have doubled since the last time - in Lambeth, however, they've risen by 250%. In Wales, where homes have already been re-banded, a third of all houses rose one or more Council tax bands.

Lastly, Home Care accessibility could be threatened by Labour locally. Labour councillors at the Town Hall are threatening to double Home Care charges if they get back into power.