26/03/2010
Robin Walker, Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester today joined his party leader, David Cameron in speaking out for pensioners and condemning the scare stories Labour has been using against them.
Labour activists have written to local papers saying that Conservatives plan to scrap Winter fuel allowances, a lie that has been repeated regularly over the last ten years.
In a speech at what could be his last press conference as leader of the opposition, Mr Cameron said
"Let me take this opportunity to say very clearly to any pensioner ... You know you are getting letters from the Labour Party that say the Conservatives would cut the winter fuel allowance, would cut the free bus travel, would cut the free television licence. These statements by Labour are quite simply lies. I don't use the word 'lie' very often, but I am using it today because they are lies."
"A Conservative government would keep the winter fuel allowance, would keep the free television licence, would keep the money for pensioners. Don't be frightened by a Government that is trying to scare you into not opting for change."
Robin Walker, Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester also identified areas in this week's budget where the Labour government is hitting pensioners harder than ever - Taking an additional £120 pounds a year from local pensioners through hidden increases in taxation or cuts to pension growth that were buried in the small print.
- Freezing the tax-free allowance of £9,490 for a single pensioner aged 65 to 74 means inflation of 3.7 per cent reduces its value in real terms by £351, an income tax rise of £70 for a man on median earnings of £267 a week.
- But the basic state pension will rise by just 2.5 per cent, which also fails to match price rises, costing another £59.
- Labour are failing to act as the Conservatives will, to help councils freeze council tax. Rising council tax, even before Brown's planned revaluation will mean yet more money would be taken from pensioners under Labour.
The Conservatives are also committed, within the next Parliament to restoring the link between pensions and earnings growth, which would mean a faster increase in the basic state pension.
Robin said
"Labour continue to let down pensioners in Worcester and only a Conservative government will freeze council tax, raise the threshold for pensioners paying income tax and restore the link between pensions and earnings growth. I will keep fighting for a better deal for local pensioners and I urge them to pay no attention to negative campaigns designed to frighten and mislead."
"There was no mention in Darling's budget speech of these extra taxes on the elderly but he made great play of continuing the Winter fuel allowance. I am delighted that my leader has confirmed our party's commitment to continuing to help pensioners with this allowance, but also that we can do much more to help." | 
