The NPC’s website has details of all our campaigns, policies and published newsletters, and this review highlights key points during what was a very busy year for the NPC.
The biggest area of campaigning during the year was, by far, the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment from all pensioners except those who receive Pension Credit.
The announcement in July took everyone by surprise and met with an immediate response and widespread opposition. An Age UK petition opposing the withdrawal, supported by the NPC, received over half a million signatures. The NPC organised a protest demonstration in Parliament Square on 7 October, followed by a lobby of Parliament, and Jonathan Safir, for the NPC, gave oral evidence on pensioner poverty to the Works & Pensions Select Committee on 18 December.
A special appeal to affiliates to support our campaigning on this issue received over £15,000 and this level of support for an important NPC campaign is greatly appreciated.
It is estimated that 1 in 6 older people currently live in poverty and the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment is one of the many challenges they face. Independent Age launched a campaign on poverty in later life to draw attention to the hidden two million pensioners who live in poverty and the NPC has supported this initiative. The NPC continues to campaign for a state pension set at 70% of the Living Wage, and a National Care Service free at the point of use.
A further setback last year was the decision in December not to compensate women who had been affected by the increase in state pension age. A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in July 2021, which found there had been maladministration by the DWP, had raised hope that some compensation would be paid. In an unwelcome move just before Christmas, the Government announced they did not accept the Ombudsman’s conclusions and no compensation would be paid. The NPC has supported the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign since its inception, and will continue to work with them to try and secure a just outcome for the estimated 3.6 million women who were affected by the changes in pension age for women.
A decision that tax thresholds will again be increased from 2028 has provided some re-assurance that the problem of fiscal drag will eventually be addressed, but the issues caused by the freezing of the thresholds since 2022 remain. As pensions increase, but the tax threshold remains frozen, so more older people are brought back into the tax bracket, or move from one bracket to another. This is increasing tax by stealth and the NPC continues to campaign for tax thresholds to be increased at least in line with inflation.
Before the general election the NPC issued its manifesto for older people, the theme of which was to build a better future for today’s and tomorrow’s pensioners. The NPC urged all political parties to prioritise policies that will provide dignity and security for everybody, particularly people in later life.
One key campaign is for a Commissioner for Older People in all the countries of the UK. Such Commissioners already exist in Wales and Northern Ireland, and they have been a great success. Similar Commissioners are needed in England and Scotland, and the campaign for them has achieved widespread support across all political parties and amongst all organisations in the voluntary sector.
The NPC has organised other events during 2024. On 6 March, the day of the last Conservative budget, the NPC protested outside Parliament over the number of cold home winter deaths. The Biennial Delegate Conference was held in March, with affiliate representatives attending and setting policies for the NPC to follow.
The Annual Convention was held in September in Blackpool, with interesting speakers from a wide range of organisations. The packed programme included sessions on growing pensioner poverty, the need for a strategy on ageing, the challenges of a digital world, rising privatisation in the NHS and social care, and the need for older and younger people to work together on climate change. Also in September the NPC held a webinar to mark Dignity Action Day, which aims to end digital poverty.
The NPC issues regular Campaign Bulletins and emails subscribers with information on all our campaigns and the activities of our Working Parties. The work the NPC does could not be achieved without the support of affiliates, all our volunteers, and especially the small team of hard working staff at Head Office. A process has begun looking at the NPC’s structure, which aims to secure our future, and the National Executive has endorsed proposals in “The Need for Change” document that was sent to all affiliates.
The NPC is the only national campaign group which is run by pensioners for pensioners. We receive regular press and TV coverage on issues affecting older people. The NPC appreciates your continued support.
We will shortly be invoicing for the renewal of affiliations and prompt payment would be appreciated to assist our cash flow. Or if you would like to join the NPC, find out more on www.npcuk.org/join-the-npc. If you are also able to add a donation, we would be very grateful as this enables the continuation of NPC’s work.
Jan Shortt
General Secretary