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Announcements

• There is a Switchover Help Scheme to assist older and disabled people switch to digital TV. The help scheme can provide easy to use digital equipment, home delivery and installation, 12 months' aftercare and a free helpline. You can get more information from their website www.helpscheme.co.uk

• Age UK will be launching a new Care in Crisis campaign on Monday 9th January 2012. Care in Crisis  is calling on the Government to reform the care system in this country so that everyone gets the care they need to live with a good quality of life, with dignity and the ability to plan ahead.
Age UK are asking supporters to get involved in the campaign by:
Signing the Care in Crisis petition by clicking here
Inviting friends and family to sign the petition by forwarding the link along
Participating in the Care and Support Alliance Mass Lobby Day on Tuesday 6th March 2012
There are millions of older people, both now and in the future, who can wait no longer; the time for reform is now. You can view the Age UK Care in Crisis by clicking here

• RPI CPI E Petition - Great news, the e-petiton has reached over 105,000 signatures. A big thank you to all those who have signed up. Please still encourage people to sign by either clicking here or by visiting http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535
This petition will now have to be considered by House of Commons Backbench Business Committee who will decide whether or not it will be debated in the House of Commons in the New Year. I'll keep you posted. Although we were disappointed with the outcome of the Judicial Review, the fight will go on. Once again thank you very much for signing.

•If you would like to receive the N.F.O.P newsletter straight from press why not subscribe.

•BENEFITS UPDATE JANUARY 2012 - To view the Benefits update for January 2012 please click here

•PROPOSED INCREASES IN STATE BENEFITS - The Department for Work and Pensions has published the proposed increases to State benefits which includes the basic State pension, SERPS, S2P and Graduated Pensions. Read the full newsletter by clicking here

•RPI CPI - Outcome of Judicial Review Hearing - We have today received the result of the Judicial Review on the Government’s decision to use the CPI instead of the RPI to calculate pension increases.
Unfortunately, it is not good news. After the hearing of the Judicial Review challenge in October of this year, brought by N.F.O.P, CSPA, NARPO and other pensioner organisations and unions, Judges have ruled that the Government had the power to switch from the RPI to CPI, despite the negative long-term impact this would have on occupational pensioners.
However, one Judge did agree with the organisations’ contention that it was not permissible for the Secretary of State to employ public expenditure considerations as the primary reason for selecting CPI.
This means that it may still be possible for an appeal to be sought. Both N.F.O.P and the CSPA are consulting urgently with legal advisors on whether the High Court has properly addressed the argument that the CPI, because it measures consumer behaviour as well as price rises, falls outside of the statutory test for an index suitable for use for pension increases. So, an appeal on these grounds may also be launched. We are still working closely with other pensioner organisations on this, and please rest assured that we are determined to continue to campaign on this issue.
Download the Judicial Review Judgement by clicking here
Download the summary of the Judgement by clicking here
Download the N.F.O.P Press Release circulated 2nd December 2011 by clicking here
Download the CSPA Newsletter by clicking here

•British Steel Pension Scheme - To view a copy of the British Steel Pension Scheme Newsbrief 2011, please follow this link www.bspensions.com/member-communications

•Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2011 - A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report published 1st December 2011, shows that pensioner overty has dropped significantly since 1997.
Download the full report by clicking here
Download a summary of the full report by clicking here

•E Petition - Drop the Health Bill - You can sign the E-petition to Drop the Health Bill by clicking here

•Care of the Elderly in the NHS - Following the damning reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and then the Patients Association on the dreadful treatment of older patients in the NHS, I wrote to Andrew Lansley asking when action will be taken. I got an expected reply from Paul Burstow which said that things must improve and everyone must work together. More hand wringing. I welcome your views. The letters can be downloaded below.
Download letter to Andrew Lansley by clicking here
Download letter from Paul Burstow by clicking here
Read the report from the CQC by clicking here
Read the report from the Patients Association by clicking here

Advice on how to prepare your finances for a challenging winter
Esther Rantzen provides tips on winter money management

 

•National Payments Plan and Consultation on the Governance of the Payments Council -
The National Payments Plan is a programme of activity for the development of cooperative payment services in the UK. It's purpose is to enhance and improve payments so that users have access to a broad range of payment methods that meet their needs making and receiving payments and are confident in using them. Download the National Payments Plan by clicking here
The Payments Council's unique role ensuring that payment systems work for everyone means that we need to always listen to the wide range of stakeholders with an interest in the payments industry. This is why we have made a questionnaire on our governance and performance available to anyone who would like to contribute to the review. Download the Governance Consultation by clicking here

•Treasury Select Committee Report on the Future of Cheques - The Treasury Committee published another report on Cheques. Read the full report by clicking here

•Payments Council urges older people to prepare finances for a challenging winter - Read more by clicking here

•UCL CENTENARIAN STUDY - UCL are carrying out a five year study on those amazing individuals who are aged 100 +. Age UK wholeheartedly endorses this study as the research findings will be invaluable for future generations. For more information about this study and to find out how to participate, please click here.

• A STATE PENSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: A summary of responses to the public consultation has now been issued by the Department for Work and Pensions and you can view these responses now by clicking here

• PROPOSALS TO MERGE INCOME TAX AND NATIONAL INSURANCE: We are currently waiting for the consultation on the proposed merge to be published.

• Follow our ongoing campaigns including the Dilnot report which came out 4th July 2011 and the Postal Services Act 2011. On-going campaigns.

•JOIN OUR FIGHTING FUND TO HELP RESTORE YOUR PENSION INCREASES TO THE RPI - The National Federation of Occupational Pensioners is urging all those affected by the Government’s decision to switch to the CPI for pension increases to help us join in the legal battle against this injustice. N.F.O.P has joined other pensioner organisations and trades unions in a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision. We need your financial help to join the fight. Any donation – however small – will be very welcome. You can donate via cheque (made out to the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners) or by a direct transfer to Sort Code  40-30-32, Account Number 02324679. Thank you - read full newsletter.

•To apply for financial assistance or provide financial support please visit our Welfare Fund Section.

•Members fancy visiting some of the national events being held through the year? why not log in to our members area' and look at the events page. Uncertain of the login details, please phone headquarters on 01582 721652.