The Prime Minister said today he would “triple lock” state pensions and then the leader of the opposition said the same. So, both main parties support the proposition that state pensioners should be protected from the “economic realities” with which most of the rest of the population have to cope. As a pensioner, I suppose I should say “Ta very much!” and pat myself on the back saying “I worked for it: I deserve it”. But I do wonder whether this special treatment for pensioners is fair – especially to people of my children’s generation. I haven’t made up my mind on this yet. Perhaps your comments will help me do so.
Earlier I listened to Frank Field, a man for whom I have tremendous respect, arguing that, whilst nobody would want to deny pensioner claims, there were many others in society who had deserving claims. Why should they be taxed more in order to pay for protection for pensioners whilst they themselves were unprotected? What about the disabled who find their benefits cut? Or those working families who have to rely on foodbanks? Shouldn’t we have a debate on this country’s priorities in this matter? This would lead me to the conclusion that we pensioners could not justify special treatment. But ...
I also think that we would never have got not only the pension benefits but also the NHS, Health & Safety at work protection, sickness pay, unfair dismissal legislation, maternity leave and a host of other things now taken for granted if my generation and the couple generations before had not fought for these things. Especially those involved in the Labour Movement – the Party but, more so, the Trade Unions. Nothing was given because it was “just” or “fair” but through struggle. And nothing was achieved by giving up the gains made “Because the country can’t afford it any more”. So when I’m told that I can have my pension increases but only at the cost of people in worse straits than me suffering more I want to point at executive double digit pay rises, bankers bonuses, Amazon’s tax dodging, HS2, Trident nukes, and even – trivial as it is – MPs 17% “fair” salary increase.
I am aware that in first part of what I have written I am being reflective; in the second I am soap-boxing. Which way should I go?