Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/607/8675
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 January 2010
The real cost this winter
THE BIG freeze has shown the dangers faced by many old people in this unequal society. Every year, official statistics show what they call 'excess' deaths between December and March, but this winter's extreme cold could make matters far worse.
Roger Shrives
Many old people have been isolated by icy conditions. Scarce salt and grit resources are used on major roads, so many residential streets become like skating rinks. Older people are often stranded at home because they fear falling - hip fractures can cut the life expectancy of over-75s to under a year. Sub-zero temperatures can also trigger heart attacks amongst frail old people.
But the profit-hungry privatised gas and electricity firms charge so much for heating that the winter fuel allowance and extra cold weather payments from the government may not help enough to pay old people's fuel bills.
2.7 million (one in every three) pensioner households in the UK live in fuel poverty, ie they pay more than a tenth of their income trying to keep warm. Higher cold weather payments could lessen the impact of high prices while improved home insulation could cut the cost of heating.
But the state pension is far too low (£95.25 a week for a single person and £152.30 for a couple). The Treasury spends only 5.5% of Britain's gross domestic product on pensions - the European average is 10%. There should be an immediate 50% rise in the state pension as the first step to a decent living pension. Pensioners should also get free heating and free home insulation.
The big freeze has also shown the lack of resources for urgent welfare services. Services that can end old people's isolation are already being cut in many areas. District nurses, for example, who visit vulnerable old people are often left under-resourced with workers overstretched in what are seen as 'invisible' cuts in NHS budgets.
Despite their crocodile tears about the problems of the cold snap, politicians of all the capitalist parties want further cuts in public spending. Pensioners and workers will need to resist these cuts and fight for a socialist society where old people can live a life of dignity, good health and financial security.
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 12 January 2010:
Decent jobs - not slave labour
Protest against bankers' bonuses
Leeds City Council Future Jobs Fund is no solution
Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition
Launch of Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Socialist Party news and analysis
Labour's leadership crisis - time for a new workers' party
Global warming chills the north
Iceland debt crisis: Make the 'dirt bags' pay!
No to County Council cuts in Warwickshire!
Northern Ireland
Corruption scandal grips Northern Ireland
Socialist Party workplace news
Fujitsu workers say: "Enough is enough"
Buses - privatisation means worse services
Unison Witchhunt
Unison witch-hunt: Shock exposures at Employment Tribunal
Workplace Feature
Call centres: Union campaign makes important gains
Socialist Party international feature
Greece - on the edge of a volcano
International socialist news and analysis
Sri Lanka presidential elections: No to the two warmongers!
Israel: Instability, class polarisation and socialism
Chile - Freedom for Elena Varela
Comment
Home | The Socialist 12 January 2010 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
