It’s time to pension off Mrs May

The greatest threats to the world are climate change, terrorism and ageing populations.

In Britain this election has put paying for pensions and caring for the elderly at the top of that list.

In 2012, over-65s made up 17 per cent of the population. By 2050 they will account for 24 per cent.

Lower birth rates mean the number of workers paying taxes to support each pensioner will halve from four to two.

One solution to this is to import a young, fit workforce to plug the gap, which is an argument for allowing in large numbers of migrants.

But voters have made it clear they want immigration drastically reduced so that option is no longer open.

It means we must find another way to fund pensions and social care. And it is here that clear differences between the political parties emerge.

The Lib Dems would add a penny to all income tax bands. Labour would add 5p to those earning more than £80,000. The Tories would make the elderly pay for themselves.

This illustrates the ideologies underpinning the three main parties and is as good a benchmark as any in deciding how to vote.

VULNERABLE

Labour would hit only the top five per cent of income earners. The Lib Dems would tap up everyone. And Theresa May will smash the old and vulnerable square in the face.

As Jeremy Corbyn tells us today, taking away the winter fuel allowance from 10 million pensioners could kill some of them.

While it may be right to ask rich pensioners to pay their way, the vast majority of those who will suffer are by no means rich.

No wonder Mrs May refuses to say exactly who she intends to target.

Commandeering the homes of elderly people who need non-residential care will be devastating to those who worked all their lives hoping to leave their homes to their families.

On top of the worry of long-term illness they will have to cope with the anxiety of pawning the roof over their head to the Government.

Tory newspapers praise Mrs May for telling hard truths. They ignore how economical she is with it.

The PM says she’s abandoning the pension triple lock because pensioners are £1,250 better off than they were in 2010. She did not mention inflation, which ate nearly £700 of that away.

Not content with hitting those approaching the end of their lives, she is even stealing food out of the mouths of those at the beginning of theirs by taking away free school meals.

This shows the nastiest side of the Nasty Party, and Mrs May thinks she can get away with it because she has the election in the bag.

There is still time for the voters to prove her wrong.

If Labour gets into power it would not just mean protection for the triple lock, winter fuel allowance and social care. It would also allow Mrs May to go into retirement.