Poverty Trap

[Hugh]

Todate due to New Labour continuing that same policy, 1 in 5 pensioners live below the poverty line, and millions have to choose between heating their homes and buying food

In your own experience is this statement true. I live in an old mining village where many pensioners live and yet to come across any one who fits this bill. The one's I know are quite content although we all have a little moan that the pension could be larger. I meet many pensioners traveling on the bus to Mansfield and join up with quite a lot at the GYM. I am lucky to have a naval pension but most live on the state pension, and are quite content, or it seem's that way.

[John]

The essence of this statement comes from this Government itself.

So in reality it is more likely to be less untrue.

That the situation is worse than admitted.

Go to a Local Soup Kitchen or similar if you want to start scratching the poverty surface.

[Hugh]

Not going to argue about poverty in UK there is alot of homeless people and rising with so many losing their jobs and unable to pay their morgage. I live in an old mining village and there don't seem to be any pensioners living in poverty ie 1 in 5 it could be they all have a second coal board pension which would answer that question.

[Papaumau]

Poverty in Britain is a subjective subject !

One is poverty-stricken if one cannot reasonably easily pay the energy bills, buy enough food and clothing to keep one warm and fit and keep a decent roof over ones head. ( this does not take into account the costs of getting at least one holiday a year or being able to buy a few luxuries by choice ).

With the basic British state pension set at the lowest level in developed Europe and the world I suggest that EVERY pensioner in Britain that does not have a private income to support the state pension is living in poverty.

This is a statement of fact !

Some are very good at not showing that they are in dire straits as to admit to being poverty-stricken generates a loss of self respect and standing in the company of ones peers.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies !

[Hugh]

If new labour hadn't been so keen on going to war just how much money we would have had for pensions and the unemployed. It would have been far cheaper and safer to improve home land security. We are now quite high on the list to be targeted by terrorist. Well done New Labour. 

[Papaumau]

Not going to argue with that point Hugh !

I would like to add that the cost to the taxpayer of introducing a very expensive ID card and the cost to the taxpayer of trying and failing to introduce a number of very complex and hi-tec national computer systems and the cost of renewing the Trident nuclear "deterrant" TOGETHER, ( and over and above the cost of going to war with Iraq and Afghanistan ), would have paid for the basic state pension to be the showpiece of the world.

The money left over would have ensured that we had a lot more to spend on the health of the nation and the education of the nation !

I rest my case !