Pensioners to demand higher state pension

Pensioners gathering on College Green on Wednesday will call for the pension to be increased to more than the official poverty line of £178 per week. They will meet and discuss the issue with pensions minister Steve Webb, shadow minister Gregg McClymont, Unison boss Dave Prentis and Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers. The NPC will call for a national care service paid for through general taxation and a winter fuel allowance of £500 per pensioner household. The government has announced it will implement a flat rate state pension of £155 per week fr...