Protecting Pensioners

The past thirteen years have not been good for Britain's pensioners. They have been hit by the doubling of council tax, Gordon Brown's £5 billion a year raid on pension funds, and by having to sell their homes to pay for care.

David Cameron has set out how a Conservative government would seek to change this.

DAVID CAMERON’S PENSIONER PLEDGE

"The Government I lead will make sure that older and retired people are treated with dignity and given the quality of life they deserve. This is my pledge to support pensioners.

"My Government will:
* Increase the value of the basic state pension for all pensioners and help to stop the spread of the means test by linking pensions to earnings. You won’t get a repeat of Labour’s mean 75p rise with us.
* Freeze council tax for the next two years, in partnership with your council.
* Make it worthwhile to save for a personal pension and get rid of the rules that force people to get a compulsory annuity.
* Help people protect their home rather than have to sell it to pay for care.
* Take all family homes worth less than £1 million out of inheritance tax.
* Increase spending on the NHS every year, which is our number one priority.
* Cut paperwork so we get more police out on the beat fighting crime.

"Our opponents are trying to scare older people by telling deliberate lies about our plans. So here is a personal promise, from me, about the things we will protect.

* I will protect your Winter Fuel Payment.
* I will protect your free bus pass and your free TV licence.
* I will protect the pension credit.

These vital benefits will not be cut under the Conservatives."

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