Southport’s older residents are increasingly seen as “fair game” for attack by the Tories claims Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the town, Liz Savage.
It follows a series of reports highlighting how the Conservative government is trying to reduce the circumstances of older age groups.
The government was recently accused of “sneaking out” potentially devasting changes to pension credits that could see losses of up to £7,000 for elderly residents where their partner is under retirement age.
News of the change was released as the government suffered it’s huge Brexit defeat on Mrs May’s deal and went largely unnoticed at the time as a result.
Free TV for over 75’s is also under threat. The BBC is looking to scrap the concession after the Tories managed to offload the near three-quarter of a billion pound cost of it onto the broadcaster by 2020. Previously, government has paid for the entitlement – something Labour had given the age-group for free in a bid to help with issues such as social isolation.
Liz Savage says that there have been a series of indicators causing concern:
“The Tories have extended retirement age, and let down the WASPI women; TV licenses are now under threat; there was their failed attempt at introducing the dementia tax in the last election, and Age UK is estimating that 1.2 million older people are not receiving the care they need.”
“It’s increasingly uncomfortable to be older in Tory Britain and they seem to be fair game to the Conservatives.”
Her concern comes as research by Age UK reveals that some over 75s will have have to cut back on food and heating to keep using their TV’s legally. Liz Savage continued:
“TVs are often vital to the over 75’s, to force them to choose between food and what may be their sole comfort is incredibly cold-hearted.”
Tom Watson MP, Labour’s Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, believes the government must relent:
“The prospect of older people having to cut back on heating or food in order to keep their TV should leave the Tories examining their consciences.“
“Theresa May’s manifesto promised that TV licences for over 75s would be protected. If the Government had any compassion for these older people they would step in and save their free TV licences.”
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