Poverty comes in many different shapes and sizes. but by the government's own admission, and in spite of its claims of commitment to social justice, today's pensioners are very often poor not only in terms of the income they receive, and the quality of their neighbourhoods but also the opportunities available to them to take a full part in society. This document calls upon the government to match its publicly stated commitment to ending child poverty with similar energy on behalf of older people. Fundamental to this is the establishment of a decent universal basic state pension that will deliver basic needs. And there are also more focused reforms and initiatives that we believe will address some of the worst areas of pensioner poverty, that are urgently needed now. These are: bridging the huge gulf between entitlement and claim rates of pensioner benefits; radical improvement in the addition at age 80 to the weekly state pension, which currently stands at a derisory extra 25p: making work pay for poorest pensioners with a decisive increase in the earnings disregard, to £75 a week: ending, the indefensible anomaly whereby disability before age 65 brings a mobility benefit currently denied to those over the age of 65: preventing the scandal of over 20,000 winter deaths each year of older people that happen because we cannot manage the effects of winter cold: helping pensioners to take a fuller part in their neighbourhoods through initiatives such as improved street lighting and consistent free travel opportunities.
Poverty comes in many different shapes and sizes. but by the government's own admission, and in spite of its claims of commitment to social justice, today's pensioners are very often poor not only in terms of the income they receive, and the quality of their neighbourhoods but also the opportunities available to them to take a full part in society. This document calls upon the government to match its publicly stated commitment to ending child poverty with similar energy on behalf of older people. Fundamental to this is the establishment of a decent universal basic state pension that will deliver basic needs. And there are also more focused reforms and initiatives that we believe will address some of the worst areas of pensioner poverty, that are urgently needed now. These are: bridging the huge gulf between entitlement and claim rates of pensioner benefits; radical improvement in the addition at age 80 to the weekly state pension, which currently stands at a derisory extra 25p: making work pay for poorest pensioners with a decisive increase in the earnings disregard, to £75 a week: ending, the indefensible anomaly whereby disability before age 65 brings a mobility benefit currently denied to those over the age of 65: preventing the scandal of over 20,000 winter deaths each year of older people that happen because we cannot manage the effects of winter cold: helping pensioners to take a fuller part in their neighbourhoods through initiatives such as improved street lighting and consistent free travel opportunities.
Subject terms:
heating, income support, older people, pensions, physical disabilities, policy formulation, poverty, taxation, very old people, transport;
Reform of social security and tax is at the heart of the government's vision to combat social exclusion, eradicate child poverty and move people into employment. Since 1997 there have been changes in policy and administration, directly affecting the lives of millions of people and raising important issues of equity and social justice. This book provides an analysis of these changes and their impact and covers both social security policy and practice addressing key issues such as tax credits, welfare-to-work, cash and care, fraud, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities, disability, the pledge to end child poverty, pensions, international policy contexts, policy making and institutional change and policy implementation for service delivery.
Reform of social security and tax is at the heart of the government's vision to combat social exclusion, eradicate child poverty and move people into employment. Since 1997 there have been changes in policy and administration, directly affecting the lives of millions of people and raising important issues of equity and social justice. This book provides an analysis of these changes and their impact and covers both social security policy and practice addressing key issues such as tax credits, welfare-to-work, cash and care, fraud, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities, disability, the pledge to end child poverty, pensions, international policy contexts, policy making and institutional change and policy implementation for service delivery.
Subject terms:
income support, pensions, physical disabilities, policy, policy formulation, poverty, social policy, social services, tax credits, taxation, benefits, children, employment, financial abuse;
Provides a critical review of research looking at the prevalence, incidence and characteristics of the social care and related health needs of black and minority ethnic communities. Summarises information on the take-up, and access to social services of ethnic minorities. Material covered includes academic and published research; local authority studies; and voluntary and community group studies.
Provides a critical review of research looking at the prevalence, incidence and characteristics of the social care and related health needs of black and minority ethnic communities. Summarises information on the take-up, and access to social services of ethnic minorities. Material covered includes academic and published research; local authority studies; and voluntary and community group studies.
Subject terms:
housing, learning disabilities, mental health, looked after children, mental health problems, older people, pensions, physical disabilities, placement, poverty, access to information, carers, black and minority ethnic people, child abuse, child neglect, children, demographics, families, employment, health needs;