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Pensioners' Blackpool protest over MP expenses
PROTESTING pensioners demonstrated their anger over the MPs' expenses scandal as they gathered on Blackpool Promenade to demand a better deal from Government.
Hundreds joined a march from North Pier to the Winter Gardens to highlight their calls for better pension provision for pensioners.
They expressed anger that MPs used tax-payers' cash to fund excessive expense claims while many senior citizens have been left struggling to pay their heating bills.
Gordon Jones, 69, from Liverpool, said: "We are trying to get a better state pension for people at a time when there has been a lot of money wasted by our MPs so people are particularly angry this year."
Terry Hutt, 74, from Cambridge, said: "Pensioners are dismayed to think that MPs can help themselves like that when you look at the state of the country."
Up to 2,000 delegates are attending the 17th annual Pensioners' Parliament, which is being held at the Winter Gardens until tomorrow.
Following yesterday's march, they quizzed MPs about their expenses as part of a question and answer session with Pensions Minister Rosie Winterton, shadow minister for older people, Nigel Waterson, and Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen.
Anne Gorton, 74, from the Merseyside Pensioners Liaison Committee, said it was time pensioners' income was raised above the poverty line.
She said: "We are campaigning for older people to be treated with respect and dignity and want a decent pension for all. It's not just for us but for the pensioners that come after us.
"If we don't fight now for a decent pension, the people who come after us will be even worse off."
Gordon Nash, 84, from The Wirral, said: "We have to put it over to the Government that we are not satisfied with the way we are being treated.
It's alright dishing out billions to the banks, but what about us?"
George Day, 71, from Brent, added: "I believe the Government has the resources to improve the pension but just doesn't want to."
The Pensioners' Parliament is pressing for a basic state pension set above the official poverty level – estimated at 165 a week in 2009 – which is linked to the higher rate of earnings or prices.
Campaigners from far afield as Scarborough, Sheffield, London and Devon are among those taking part in the march and conference.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
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