Putting Mr Chisti straight on Pensions

Letter to the Medway Messenger from Tony Jeacock

Regarding Tory MP, Mr. Chishti's response (6th Feb) to Mr. Keane's letter (30th January), I note whilst accurately explaining the State pension figures, Mr. Chishti perhaps deliberately omitted to explain a few fundamental facts.

History of low Pension increases under both Tory and Labour governments

Mrs. Thatcher's Tories, in 1982 broke the link between State pension and national average earnings (NAE), which historically rose by about 2% yearly more than the retail prices index (RPI) to which it then became linked. Consequently the purchasing power of the State pension fell each year for 15 years, during which time the Labour opposition repeatedly kicked up merry stink.

Then came 1997 and a new Labour government. In the following 13 years the purchasing power of the State pension in relation to the real cost of living continued to fall each year because Labour did absolutely nothing about it. So for 28 consecutive years, the buying power of the State pension fell, adding to the impact of for example, fuel poverty for the elderly, begging the question for many, "Should I heat or eat?"

Liberal Democrat pension promise

One of the main planks of the Lib Dem's 2010 manifesto was to restore this long-lost connection with the NAE and begin a programme of recovery in the buying power of the State pension. The Conservatives categorically said it could not be done. Yet within the first six months of the LibDems entering a coalition government, not only was that link restored, but added to it was the 'Triple-Lock', ensuring the State pension will rise annually by the higher of NAE; the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) or 2.5%. This is a LibDem policy, a LibDem success story to which the Conservatives, who said it could not be done, are now trying to claim ownership.

Get the facts right Mr. Chishti and stop trying to mislead the electorate of Medway.