MPs Back Pensioners Over Charges

12.00.00am GMT Mon 13th Jan 2003

On Friday, the two local MPs, Vincent Cable and Jenny Tonge, visited a pensioner's club in Whitton to pledge support for pensioners fighting threats of cuts and increased charges.

Many local pensioners have expressed concern over the publicity for proposals to withdraw pensioners freedom passes.

Vincent Cable said that: "I don't think London Transport or local councils would ever dare to touch the pensioners freedom pass."

"There was however a worrying bit of public kite flying a few weeks ago which has caused a lot of anxiety. The proposal to switch the passes to students and the unemployed was a divisive attempt to play one deserving group against another."

"Pensioners freedom passes are vital to keep older people mobile and involved in society and to prevent them becoming isolated".

There is also strong feeling about the councils decision to increase charges for attending council day centres to £5 a day.

The charges currently apply to the council day centres and not to the Age Concern pensioners clubs as at Whitton, but there is worry that the council will cut grants to the clubs and force up charges at the clubs too.

Jenny Tonge said that: "the pensioners clubs and day centres are one of the most valued services. Putting up charges to £5 a day is exorbitant and counter productive since many pensioners will stay away rather than pay the charge."

"What I fear is that when high charges drive away users the council will claim there is no demand and use this as an excuse to close the centres. One of the most popular facilities in the borough is now under threat".