Agenda item
Notice of Motion - Standing Up For Manchester Pensioners
The last Labour government lifted millions of pensioners out of poverty through reform and targeting help to those who needed it most.
Since 2010 almost 2 million extra pensioners are living in poverty, the time has come once again to eradicate pension poverty and reform our out dated pension system.
Pension Credit uptake across the country is worryingly low, with many people currently missing out. We know that in Manchester over 8000 people aren’t claiming the pension credit they are entitled to. If all these people applied this would total an extra £24million in the pockets of our Manchester pensioners.
Consequently, we call for Manchester City Council to:-
(1) Recommend to the Executive that the Council promotes a dedicated pensioner hardship fund for any older person this winter to access an additional emergency cash payment if they need it.
(2) Recommend to the Executive that officers contact the 8000 plus residents in Manchester who have not applied for pensioner credit for which they are eligible and to continue the great work of the Older People’s Board, Age Friendly Manchester and Age UK to increase take up.
(3) Request that Officers explore viable options to ensure that every resident knows about the Cost of Living Support the Council has available and promote the Cost-of-Living Advice Line across the city
(4) Lead the call for national reform and lobby government to review the eligibility thresholds for Pension Credit and Housing Benefits and to ensure the maximum number of Manchester residents on low incomes can get the support they need.
In addition, the retirement pension in the UK is one of the worst in Europe for value.
This Council therefore:-
(5) Agrees to support and lead the Campaign for a Living Pension: A pension that residents can live on.
(6) Call on all political parties in this Chamber to support and sign up for a Living Pension to ensure that Manchester pensioners benefit from a reformed system that isn’t reliant on top ups.
Proposed by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor Cooley and supported by Councillors Karney, Kirkpatrick, Rasul, Rawson and Sadler
Minutes:
Councillor Davies submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Cooley:-
The last Labour government lifted millions of pensioners out of poverty through reform and targeting help to those who needed it most.
Since 2010 almost 2 million extra pensioners are living in poverty, the time has come once again to eradicate pension poverty and reform our out dated pension system.
Pension Credit uptake across the country is worryingly low, with many people currently missing out. We know that in Manchester over 8000 people aren’t claiming the pension credit they are entitled to. If all these people applied this would total an extra £24million in the pockets of our Manchester pensioners.
Consequently, we call for Manchester City Council to:-
· Recommend to the Executive that the Council promotes a dedicated pensioner hardship fund for any older person this winter to access an additional emergency cash payment if they need it.
· Recommend to the Executive that officers contact the 8000 plus residents in Manchester who have not applied for pensioner credit for which they are eligible and to continue the great work of the Older People’s Board, Age Friendly Manchester and Age UK to increase take up.
· Request that Officers explore viable options to ensure that every resident knows about the Cost of Living Support the Council has available and promote the Cost-of-Living Advice Line across the city
· Lead the call for national reform and lobby government to review the eligibility thresholds for Pension Credit and Housing Benefits and to ensure the maximum number of Manchester residents on low incomes can get the support they need.
In addition, the retirement pension in the UK is one of the worst in Europe for value.
This Council therefore:-
· Call on all political parties in this Chamber to support and sign up for a Living Pension to ensure that Manchester pensioners benefit from a reformed system that isn’t reliant on top ups.
On the motion being put to the vote, the Lord Mayor declared it carried.
Resolution
This Council:-
(1) Recommends to the Executive that the Council promotes a dedicated pensioner hardship fund for any older person this winter to access an additional emergency cash payment if they need it.
(2) Recommends to the Executive that officers contact the 8000 plus residents in Manchester who have not applied for pensioner credit for which they are eligible and to continue the great work of the Older People’s Board, Age Friendly Manchester and Age UK to increase take up.
(3) Requests that Officers explore viable options to ensure that every resident knows about the Cost of Living Support the Council has available and promote the Cost-of-Living Advice Line across the city
(4) Leads the call for national reform and lobby government to review the eligibility thresholds for Pension Credit and Housing Benefits and to ensure the maximum number of Manchester residents on low incomes can get the support they need.
(5) Agrees to support and lead the Campaign for a Living Pension: A pension that residents can live on.
(6) Calls on all political parties in this Chamber to support and sign up for a Living Pension to ensure that Manchester pensioners benefit from a reformed system that isn’t reliant on top ups.
(Councillors Connolly, Cooley, Davies, Evans, Hughes and Karney declared a personal interest for the reason that each receives a state pension.)