The National Pensioners Convention in Northern Ireland will host a protest at Stormont over the government’s failure to address the needs of older people.
The campaign is also demanding that the Stormont Executive use its powers to reverse cuts related to the winter fuel payment.
The campaign is also seeking to challenge the failure to include any actions for the benefit of pensioners in the draft Programme for Government.
Regional Secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention in Northern Ireland, John Martin, said:
“We are encouraging pensioners to join our rally and send the strongest possible message to government.
“Retired people who have worked a lifetime and receive a small work-related pension, and are ineligible to claim pension credit as a result, are now to be denied the winter fuel payment.
“Pensioners in Northern Ireland have been totally failed by the Stormont Executive who simply copied the policy coming out from London.
“There are always alternatives – the cost of the winter fuel payment is less than one quarter of one percent of Stormont’s budget – are they saying they couldn’t find that amount to protect pensioners?
“Our anger is compounded by the total exclusion of the needs of pensioners in the draft Programme for Government.
“We are protesting to demand action from Stormont for older people experiencing real hardship this winter.”
The protest will be supported by trade unions. A march in support will set off from the main entrance gates at 10.30am on Monday 7 October, to gather at the NPC rally at the steps of Stormont.
Comments