We demand the government stop means testing pensioners, that we think is a degrading and humiliating practice. We also think the state pension should be increased. We believe that for too long, our elderly have been portrayed by media as merely burdens on the NHS and the modern welfare state.
We think that the elderly should be entitled to a decent pension and a comfortable lifestyle as many will have already paid into the system for longer than the rest of the population by now. We believe any Government should have a responsibility toward our nation's elderly people. In the Victorian era, retirement was often only an option for those who had accrued wealth. Are we regressing back to those Dickensian times? We believe means testing is an abhorrent practice that is demeaning and intrusive.
Government response
Our commitment to the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament will increase the State Pension by up to £1,900 a year by its end. The Government does not and will not means-test the State Pension.