Pensioner Poverty

As you might be aware the chancellor is to give a one off £200 Council tax rebate as part of his budget to women pensioners. However it has become clear that this rebate is to be given to pensioners over the age of 65. This is all well and good but on the other hand no rebate will be offered to women pensioners between 60 and 64.

If the Government has overwhelming evidence that women between 60 and 64 do not require the same level of help as other pensioners they should produce it.  Otherwise, this appears to be nothing but discriminatory. The Liberal Democrats are launching a campaign to force the Government to pay the one-off £200 Council Tax refund to all pensioners and to stop discriminating against women aged 60-64. 

2nd February 2006