Public Policy eNews - Campaign Special - 8 September 2008

Welcome to this special campaign edition of the Legion’s policy eNewsletter.

This edition is designed to inform you about our new campaign, Returning to Rationing? and to let you know how you can get involved.

Return to Rationing?

The Royal British Legion has joined forces with the national older persons’ charity Age Concern to launch a campaign aimed at increasing the incomes of older people living in poverty.

Against a background of a looming recession, the credit crunch, rising taxes and fuel and food costs the Legion’s Return to Rationing? campaign is designed to highlight the huge struggle the elderly – many of whom are part of the ex-Service community – have just to make to ends meet.

The campaign was launched today at the Dig for Victory exhibit in St James’s Park, London - a poignant reminder of the deprivation suffered by millions of British people during the Second World War.

Director General of The Royal British Legion, Chris Simpkins, said:

“We all thought rationing was history. But we were wrong. Even the Chancellor says we’re facing the worst economic time in 60 years and this has a crushing impact on the elderly. The Government must give them the help they deserve - making it easier for them to access their entitlements and giving them a level of income to ensure their basic needs are met.”

Poverty amongst the older ex-Service community

Five million members of the ex-Service community are aged over 65. Together they make up around half of the UK’s 10 million strong retired population.

In 2005, The Royal British Legion conducted substantial research into the welfare needs of our beneficiary group. We found that a high number of people aged over 65 years of age reported being on low or very low incomes. More than 384,000 ex-Service adults reported living on an income of under £10,000 a year. We also know from our welfare work that many of our older beneficiaries live on very low and inadequate incomes.

In June 2008 Ipsos MORI conducted a telephone survey of older members of ex-Service community on behalf of the Legion. This allowed us to gain a better understanding of the financial experiences of older veterans and their dependants.

The survey found that:

• Over one third of respondents find it either difficult or very difficult to manage on their current income.
• 38% are living on an income below the Minimum Income for Healthy Living, an amount thought to be required to meet the basic social, nutritional and medical needs for a healthy lifestyle.
• One in ten respondents say they have had to go without sufficient food.
• 17% say they have had to go without full central heating.

As a result of the findings, the Legion and Age Concern have proposed a number of reforms that would improve the financial situation for these older people.

Use this link to read the full research findings, Poverty Amongst Older Veterans.

Edward's story

One person who would benefit from the changes we propose is Edward Sturmey, 75, of Weymouth, Dorset. Edward served in the Territorial Army between 1958 and 1982 and did National Service from 1951 to 1953.

Edward recently suffered a stroke and was referred to the Legion by a Housing Officer. He was forced to sell his home due to his disability and is no longer eligible for certain benefits, including CTB, as his savings are just above the cut off limit of £16,000.

Edward feels that this is unfair as the cost of care and Council Tax will soon eat into his savings - only then will he be eligible for benefits.

The Legion and Age Concern believe that the £16,000 saving limit should be removed for those over retirement age to remove the current disincentive to save for a rainy day.

What we are calling for

The Legion and Age Concern believe that to assist older members of the ex-Service community struggling on a low income the Government should:

• Develop an automated payment system for Council Tax Benefit for older people.
• Rebrand Council Tax Benefit to reflect its true nature as a "rebate".
• Remove the £16,000 capital limit for Council Tax Benefit for those over
  retirement age.
• Make the statutory disregard of War Pension income 100% when means testing for
  Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.
• Work with the energy industry to provide a £50 fuel voucher to all Pension Credit
  recipients aged over 70.
• Exempt recipients of War Pensions from means testing for Disabled Facilities
  Grants required as a result of a Service-related injury or disablement.
• Double the Personal Expenses Allowance for residents of care homes.

You can find out more details about the campaign and our policy recommendations by reading the Return to Rationing? policy paper.

Get involved

For more information and to find out how to support our campaign go to http://www.returntorationing.org.uk/ or phone Legionline on 08457 725 725.

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