09 APR 2009
* £165 pension per week
* non means-tested
* end the “anything for profit” care system
BBC, Britain’s Homecare Scandal 9 APR
After viewing extracts from tonight’s Panorama, including undercover footage from York, Green Party lead European Election Candidate Dr Martin Hemingway is calling for the naming and shaming of councils putting cost cutting before their duty of care. He comments :
“The footage from York, Harrow and South Lanarkshire is absolutely shocking and the blame needs to be shared by service providers and councils.
“Councils involved in contracting out care to the lowest bidder know that this cannot provide an acceptable level of care. A company cannot bid £9.95 an hour and offer the level of service that councils should deliver. Massive corners will be cut and many customers will suffer neglect, discomfort and loss of dignity.
“This “anything for a profit” approach is no different from the behaviour of the banks and those responsible should be named and shamed.
“Many older people are struggling with reduced income on savings and big fuel bills. 25% of UK pensioners are living below the official UK poverty line making many dependent on handouts from family, friends and charities.
“I would like to see a council’s league table to see how low councils are prepared to stoop on home care provision.
“The way pensioners are treated in the UK is nothing short of a disgrace. The Green Party pledges to support the National Pensioners Convention’s call for a £165 a week non-means-tested citizens’ pension for every pensioner in the UK, ensuring that none fall into poverty after a lifetime of contributing to society.”
Martin Hemingway
mhemingway@ntlworld.com
Lead Euro-candidate for the Yorkshire and the Humber Green Party.
