IAN LAVERY MP warns that decades of neoliberal policies have left former industrial communities behind — but a renewed Labour commitment to working people could change the political landscape
THE Grey Swans are a campaigning group run by and for older people experiencing both relative and absolute poverty. Let down by the Tory government they want to see Labour commit to policies in the next manifesto that will help end pensioner poverty.
The founder of the group, Christine Williams, has been aware for some time that many more pensioners were falling below the poverty line and as such, were more likely to become isolated, unwell and at risk of an early death.
These concerns were recently borne out by figures released by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which showed 300,00 more pensioners were in poverty. This announcement also included the rise in child poverty.
MPs back measure for 66-year-olds but it won't end suffering, groups say
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE


