City protest over pensions
PROTESTERS were due to gather outside in Nottingham today to demand an increase in state pensions.
Members of Nottingham Pensioners' Action Group and their supporters want the weekly rate for a single person increased to £165, the Government's declared poverty line.
The protest in the Old Market Square coincides with this year's pension increase, when basic weekly rate for a single person is due to rise five per cent to just £95.25.
Roy Tomlinson, chairman of the Nottingham Pensioners Action Group, said: "Such a low state basic pension, the lowest in Europe, means millions of pensioners remain on means-tested benefits and today's workers face poverty when they retire.
"Only a decent state pension provides an effective and reliable way of guaranteeing real financial security in retirement."
The rally will start at 11.30am, and will form part of a series of rallies throughout the UK. Alan Simpson MP will be among the speakers in Nottingham.
Comments
by Colston Hicks, Cardiff
Saturday, April 04 2009, 10:01PM
“It must be remembered that in spite of a low state pension, the UK worker's total pension was the envy of the whole world before New Labour came into power in May 1997. I think the Nottingham Pensions Action Group should also include the restoration of private sector final salary occupational pension schemes in their campaign.”