22/02/2016
A Tory peer has suggested that elderly people ought to contribute more to society in their old age in order to earn their state pension.
Lord Bichard stoked controversy by suggesting that elderly people are a ‘burden on society’ despite the taxes and national insurance contributions that most have paid in for dozens of years.
Bichard, the ex- chief of the benefits agency suggested that a system that recognised contributions from elderly people by giving rewards or fines would ensure that elderly folk contribute more and make society more cohesive by ending the marginalisation of elderly people, who generally have a lot of experience and skills to offer.
He suggested that age should not be enough to guarantee benefits for older people in an age of austerity and benefits crackdowns.
“Older people who are not very old could be making a very useful contribution to civil society if they were given some incentive or recognition for doing so,” he told a committee of MPs.
“We’re prepared to say to people if you’re not looking for work, you don’t get a benefit. If you’re old and you’re not contributing in some way, maybe there should be some penalty attached to that. These debates never seem to take place.
“Are we using all the incentives at our disposal to encourage older people not just to be a negative burden on the state but actually be a positive part of society?” he said.
Pensioner groups were disgusted by the remarks, likening it to national service for the elderly.
Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “This is absolutely outrageous. Those who have paid their national insurance contributions for 30 or more years are entitled to receive their state pension and there should be no attempt to put further barriers in their way.
“We already have one of the lowest state pensions in Europe and one in five older people in Britain live below the poverty line.”
Dr Ros Altmann, director-general of Saga, agreed that the idea was "very strange indeed".
"Those who have retired have already made huge contributions to our society and are already the largest group of charity and community volunteers," she said. "The Saga website has been buzzing all day with angry messages of incredulity."
Lord Bichard is a member of a committee investigating demographic change and its impact on public services. The panel has been told the transfer of wealth from young to old in the UK is the highest in Europe, and this explains the initiative to try to target the elderly for more productivity within society.
Nevertheless, elderly people in Britain will feel further targeted by government policies. Bichard’s remarks come after it emerged elderly people would be charged £26 if they need to be helped back their feet after a fall at home by Tendring District Council.
The £25.92 annual charge means a carer will come to pick an elderly resident up after a fall and provoked anger from charity and elderly protection groups.
Written By:
Daniel James
www.danieljamesbio.com
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