Archive for January, 2010

9,400 Salford pensioners will miss out on cold weather payments

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

9,400 Salford pensioners will miss out on Cold Weather Payments triggered by the recent weather, according to Liberal Democrat analysis of Government figures.

Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, which goes unclaimed by as many as 1.7m pensioners nationally. Figures released by the government show that almost 9,400 people who qualify in Salford, Worsley and Eccles have not claimed their Cold Weather Payments.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Salford & Eccles, Norman Owen said:

“It is a scandal that thousands of Salford pensioners on the breadline are missing out on these payments, worth an estimated £235,000 locally.

“Fuel prices are at an all time high, making Cold Weather Payments all the more important to people already struggling on a poverty pension.

“Labour has failed pensioners by creating a complicated system that makes it difficult for them to get the help they desperately need.

“The Government should be making every effort to identify pensioners who are missing out and get them this extra cash.”

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NORMAN OWEN PUTS FAIRNESS AT THE HEART OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGN

Monday, January 11th, 2010

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make Britain a fairer place.

PPC for Salford & Eccles,  Norman Owen, has today set out his campaign priorities: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

Councillor Owen said:

“People in Salford & Eccles have been let down by their politicians and are rightly frustrated. I am going into the election with a clear direction and a manifesto that is short, direct and to the point.

“We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.

“If your child is at school in Salford, we can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.

“We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150.

“And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure Salford businesses can find the money they need to grow.

“The coming months are a crucial time for politics and I will be using them to focus on these four priorities and delivering real change for Salford.”

In his speech this morning (MON), Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:

“David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and the focus group.

“One doesn’t know what he believes. The other doesn’t know what to do with the power he clings to so desperately.

“I believe the country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it’s needed. And hope for our common future.”

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