I DON’T WANT HANDOUTS, JUST TO KEEP UP WITH RISING COST OF FOOD
BLOOD cancer patient Rosemary Caulfield is backing the Daily Express fair deal for pensions campaign.
Rosemary, 76, of Saxilby, Lincs, was diagnosed in 2019 and cannot work to boost her finances because of ill health.
She said: “The word pensioner covers a very large group of people in very different financial circumstances.
“There are those who do not rely upon their pension to provide the basic needs of living, then those receiving just state pension who would not survive this cost of living crisis without receiving benefits.
“However, there are people like myself who fall into a grey area.We have income which is just slightly above the cut-off point to receive additional help. In normal times we budget and keep our heads above water and manage. But these are not normal times. No amount of budgeting can provide enough income to keep pace with the rising tide of costs. I am willing to work, but am prevented from helping myself.
Payment
“It would be impossible for everyone to be supported by the state. I understand that. But there are many people not receiving help who will really struggle.
“There are those suffering from long-term ill health and the costs involved in their treatment. They should receive extra help. I do not include myself in this group. I think that we deserve the triple lock payment.We need it now – it’s what we were promised.”
Rosemary, a former NHS management accountant, added: “Many of us would be happy to have the option of going back to work [but] many like myself are unable to do so. I am a cancer patient living alone. I am not asking for handouts to enable me to have a holiday or a new car.
“I just want to be able to keep up with the rising costs of food.
“The present government promised this payment during the election.
“I pray this was not just another broken promise or U-turn.
“I am a lifelong Conservative, but am struggling to understand their lack of honesty and integrity.
“They have sunk to the depths. I don’t recognise them anymore.
“We, the public, are usually the last whose feelings or thoughts about what is going on around us is considered or taken into account.
“We have no voice, we have no power. “I hope we will receive what we were promised. If we do it will be because of people like the Daily Express.”