RESPONSES TO SSCUP PRESS RELEASES: January 2010
Sunday Express 10/1/10 - page 3
About 80% of additional deaths recorded every winter are people aged 65 or over. Campaigners yesterday said they feared for the well-being of the elderly as the cold snap goes into its third full week.
John Swinburne, Leader of the Scottish Senior Citizens unity Party, said it had been the worst winter he had encountered since 1962. He added:
"It is logical to expect last year's figures of 3,510 to double this year and if this prolonged period of cold goes on for much longer it could be tripled and even exceed the 10,000 death barrier.We can never prevent every death but the fact that people can't afford, or think they can't, to heat their houses and eat properly is disgusting."
He added:"I know of people who are so scared to switch on their electricity that they confine themselves to one room in which to keep warm. It is nothing short of a disgrace."
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Gordon Brown has repeatedly stated that pensioners qualify for an additional £25 per week heating allowance when the temperature drops below freezing and remains there.
What he fails to say is that this only applies to pensioners who have agreed to 'Parade their Poverty' and successfully apply for pension credits. If they are even slightly above to £130 per week limit then they get absolutely no pension credits and no help whatsoever with their heating bills !
Means Testing saves the Exchequer a fortune but as the statistics will prove from Duncan McNiven, the Registrar General for Scotland in October 2010 when they are released. The Exchequer savings will come at an unacceptable cost to pensioners who succumb to winter related illnesses. These are now listed cynically as "Excess Winter Mortality Among Pensioners!"
No wonder Gordon's jacket is on a shaky nail!!!!
What he fails to say is that this only applies to pensioners who have agreed to 'Parade their Poverty' and successfully apply for pension credits. If they are even slightly above to £130 per week limit then they get absolutely no pension credits and no help whatsoever with their heating bills !
Means Testing saves the Exchequer a fortune but as the statistics will prove from Duncan McNiven, the Registrar General for Scotland in October 2010 when they are released. The Exchequer savings will come at an unacceptable cost to pensioners who succumb to winter related illnesses. These are now listed cynically as "Excess Winter Mortality Among Pensioners!"
No wonder Gordon's jacket is on a shaky nail!!!!
John Swinburne