Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We owe elderly a debt of gratitude
Ricky’s triple lock pension plea
People are going to die and the Tories don’t care
WITH Remembrance Sunday still fresh in our minds, Ricky Tomlinson warns that forces veterans could be caught up in any raid on pensions.
And the caring Royle Family star said he fears pensioners will die if the Tories break their election pledge to keep the vital triple lock in place.
Campaigning Ricky, 83 – wrongfully jailed for strike action in the 70s – said it was a “disgrace” the elderly are using foodbanks in one of the world’s richest nations and demanded No10 protect them in Thursday’s Budget.
He said: “The least we can do is repay them the debt of gratitude that we owe them.”
Ricky recalled the harrowing case of a pensioner who last year died trying to survive by eating cardboard. He said: “I know people will die, because some of
SHEILA CORRELL FEARS FOR LIVES OF ELDERLY them are so proud they think they are asking for handouts and they won’t do it. They’re entitled to whatever they need. Shelter, warmth and food is not too much to ask.”
And of the dwindling number of veterans appearing at Poppy Day parades, Ricky said: “They’re having to remind the nation of the sacrifices they made. Some were in wheelchairs and on
crutches. It makes me angry. They shouldn’t have to worry about electric and gas bills. The triple lock is a right. They paid, in a lot of cases, the ultimate price. They say lest we forget but I think we have forgotten.”
Scouser Ricky supports Age UK’S call for Rishi Sunak to ensure older people do not face a real terms cut to incomes.
The charity has told how elderly people are living on biscuits due to rising bills. Ricky added: “It’s appalling.
“One of the richest nations can’t feed and look after our pensioners.” Age UK’S Caroline Abrahams said: “It’s hard to believe we are facing a hardship of a kind we thought belonged to the past.”
Ricky, who has pledged to support the Mirror’s Warm Hearts Christmas Appeal, was jailed in 1973 after being among 24 trade unionists arrested during the builders’ strike a year earlier.
He served 18 months but his conviction was overturned last year after a legal challenge.
The triple lock started in 2010 to make pensions rise by average earnings, prices, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.
Mr Sunak warned he could ditch the scheme after he became PM last month, which would leave millions of elderly people £472 a year worse off.
But he last night hinted he would keep it. Mr Sunak said: “I understand the particular challenge of pensioners. I care very much about pensioners.”
People will die, because some are so proud they think it’s a handout and they won’t ask RICKY ON FEARS DITCHING TRIPLE LOCK COULD PROVE FATAL