Protest rally against government’s cuts – Pensions: it will end in tears

Published: 29 October, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

ISLINGTON pensioners attending a national rally outside Parliament last Wednesday warned that government plans for a £140-a-week-for-all pension was looking increasingly like an “absolute con”.

They spoke out as it became apparent that the new money – offered by the government coalition – which would come into effect in five years’ time, would only be available for new pensioners.

Amid the confusion and speculation about who would benefit from the new money, a quick phone call to the Department for Work and Pensions by the Tribune enlisted the following response: “There is going to be a Green Paper on how the new pension will work. Indications so far are that it is for future pensioners but it is all up for consultation.”

George Durack and John Worker, chairman and secretary respectively of the 400-strong Islington Pensioners Forum, accused government ministers of planning a “two tier” pension.

Mr Durack said: “Current pensioners  who are living on an inadequate pension will be completely forgotten. And by the time £140 is introduced it will be worth a lot less than it is today.”

Mr Durack and Mr Worker spoke following a rally at Westminster Methodist Hall by the National Convention of Pensioners. 

Mr Worker said: “When you think how many times poor pensioners have been let down in the past – many are on basic living wage – I always thought this new offer was too good to be true. Now I know – at least for the majority of us – it is.”

Protest rally against government’s cuts

ISLINGTON North MP Jeremy Corbyn addressed a rally against the cuts on Saturday. 

Around 4,000 trade unionists marched from the RMT headquarters in Somers Town to Bloomsbury led by 100 striking firefighters. 

Other speakers included RMT leader Bob Crowe and Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigade Union.