Total response so far as at 18th May is 11,287. Please keep sending in the postcards. Help us get to our target of 15,000!
Please encourage friends and family to sign. If you would like us to send you more postcards just ring us on 01582 721652.
Campaign success!
Another 370 postcards received today (17th May). We now have a total of 10,962, just a few more to reach 11,000. Please keep them coming!
Our current total responses as of 16th May is 10,592. Please keep them coming in and we will meet our goal in no time.
We now have 9,490 responses as of today (14th May). Fantastic! Please keep them coming in.
Close to 7,000 responses on 11th May. Thats brilliant thanks, keep it up. Nearly 2,000 cards received on day 2 (9th May) a very encouraging response so far. Keep it up!
NFOP is launching a campaign to tell the Government that it is time to address the Elephant in the room - that is social care funding. This important issue has been at the forefront of political minds for decades or longer. Despite the Dilnot Report being published in 2011, setting out proposals to reform the system, there has been little progress. The planned White Paper that was expected has been delayed. We need a sustainable funding system for social care ensuring older people have access to the care they need at an affordable cost. Something must be done. The campaign slogan is 'Doing Nothing is NOT an Option'.
Signature Collection - To support our campaign we are asking for people to sign
and return our campaign postcard. Please email info@nfop.org.uk if you sould like some postcards sent to you.
Twitter - NFOP are on Twitter as @pensioneronline. Please follow NFOP to see our tweets about the campaign, re-tweet us, and use the hashtag phrase #doingnothingisnotanoption
Click on the elephant above to download the post card. Please encourage all your friends and relatives to sign and if you are a member of a Bowls Club or other Club get them to sign also. Thank you for your support.
•
The Stroke Association is about Life After Stroke
The charity believes that having a stroke is bad enough, but being written off is worse. Across the UK too many stroke survivors are still being denied the chance to make their best possible recovery from stroke and it’s time to take action to change this. This month, May 2012, is the first ever Action on Stroke Month. The charity isdoubling its efforts to:
make more people aware of the impact stroke has on survivors and the challenges they face in their daily lives;
reach out to many more stroke survivors and their carers to offer support and advice
encourage everyone to sign up to the Life After Stroke campaign.
What can you do?
During Action on Stroke Month, the Stroke Association is calling on everyone to challenge the barriers that hold back the recoveries of stroke survivors and needs your support. Why not sign up today? You can support an event or activity – their calendar of events has details of activities happening across the UK (www.stroke.org.uk/aosmevents).
You can add your name to the campaign (www.stroke.org.uk/campaigns) or get involved online by joining them on Facebook or following them on Twitter.
• Care costs could close libraries, say councils A crisis in funding care for the elderly could lead to the closure of parks, libraries and public toilets, according to council leaders in England and Wales.
Read more in an article on the BBC website by Clicking here
• Billions of pounds of technology not used to full potential by older generation - Over-65s in the UK have spent a huge £2.5 billion on computer equipment, yet over two thirds (68 per cent) admit they aren’t taking advantage of its potential, according to research by the Payments Council.
Read more by Clicking here To learn more about the Payments Council's campaign, view their website at www.payyourway.org.uk
• RNIB's Banking Guide The Royal National Institute of Blind People launched on 17th April 2012 a good practice guide, 'The Banking Experience', for financial organisations to improve customer services for the almost 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK.
To read more about 'The Banking Experience' please Click here To obtain a copy of 'The Banking Experience' please Click here For more information about RNIB, view their website at www.rnib.org.uk
•Stamps rationed by Royal mail in run up to price rise Royal Mail is rationing retailers' purchase of stamps to make sure it benefits fully from the price rise due on 30 April. Some retailers are running low as customers buy stamps in bulk.
•Sign Arthur’s petition to reverse the freeze on age related tax allowances The N.F.O.P are supporting a new online petition started by pensioner Arthur Streatfield, from Bath. The e petition was set up on Friday 23rd March and is calling on the government to reverse its decision to freeze the age related personal tax allowances for the over 65s from April 2013. The e petition already has over 45,000 signatures. The aim is to reach 100,000 signatures which can then be used for a lobby/demo. You can sign the e petition by clicking here
•Health and Social Care Bill given Royal Assent - 27th March 2012 On Tuesday 27th March 2012, the Health and Social Care Bill was given Royal Assent in the House of Lords, becoming an act of Parliament. The Bill took over a year to get through Parliament with the 1st Reading in the House of Commons on 19th January 2011. The new Act has over 200 provisions.
•Budget 2012 - 21 March 2012 The 2012 Budget took place on Wednesday 21st March. Initial calculations show that, based on the figures given, pensioners will not have an increase in spending power leading up to and beyond the next election, compared to those of working age who will benefit from several hundred pounds extra. By raising the personal income allowances of those of working age over the next few years to be in line with those aged 65 and over, the Government aim to ‘simplify’ the tax system so that everyone will have the same level of personal allowance, regardless of age, saving the Treasury three billion pounds by 2015.
•Health and Social Care Bill - Emergency Debate Today 20 March 2012
MPs are to hold an emergency debate on the coalition's NHS reforms today. Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham secured the debate in an attempt to delay the passage of the Bill. Following its third reading yesterday, the Bill is due to return to the Commons today where the debate could allow MPs to delay the Bill's progress until the Government publishes an internal assessment of the risks posed by the reforms to the NHS in England. To view the full article online please click here
•Health and Social Care Bill Commons Debate
The Commons Debate on the Health and Social Care Bill took place on Tuesday 13th March 2012. The motion and amendments were both defeated. The 3rd Reading of the Bill will be on Friday 19th March.
•MPs 'demand' the new national pension scheme is opened to middle income workers
An article in The Telegraph today talks about the warnings regarding the removal of the 'complex' restrictions on the Government's workplace pensions scheme to ensure it's success. The new pension scheme must be opened out to include middle income earners or face failure, according to warnings from MPs. To view the full article online please click here
•Doctors offer to work with PM over Health and Social Care Bill changes
The Royal College of General Practitioners, which has been one of the strongest opponents of the Health and Social Care Bill, has written to David Cameron offering talks on its implementation. To view the full article online please click here
• Budget 2012 - Wednesday 21st March
The 2012 Budget is taking place on Wednesday 21st March. Which?, the UK consumer group, have published a summary of the latest 'rumours' about the budget. To view the summary please click here
• 600,000 Pensioners Prisoners in Own Homes
A research study by Age UK shows that more than 600,000 pensioners are virtual prisoners in their own homes. Cuts to local bus routes or Post Offices have contributed to the 'growing isolation' of many elderly people. To view the full article in The Telegraph
please click here
• End the Care Crisis: Lobby 2012 - Happening Today!
End the Care Crisis: Lobby 2012 organised by The Care and Support Alliance is taking place today, Tuesday 6th March, in London and online via Twitter @carelobby2012. For more information visit the website: http://carelobby2012.org.uk/twobby/
• Review of Pensioners Taxation: Interim Report by Office of Tax Simplification - The Office of Tax Simplification has released a ‘Review of pensioners’ taxation: Interim report’. This is a very good publication setting out the complexities of taxation of pensioners. We look forward to the final recommendations.
To view a copy of the report, please click here
• Proposed Stamp Price Increases - A report on the results of the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee inquiry into the factors driving decisions on future stamp prices, namely international benchmarking and affordability, published 2nd March 2012, sees proposed price increases of up to 53% on second class letters, and no price cap on first class letters.
For a Summary of the Report please Click here For a copy of the Full Report please Click here View the article in The Telegraph referring to our Press Release here
• Delivering Dignity - Report by the Commission on Dignity in Care for Older People - 29th February 2012 The Commission on Dignity in Care for Older People have today published a comprehensive interim report 'Delivering Dignity’ for public consultation setting out a total of 68 recommendations for hospitals, care homes, and the wider health and social care system, to help them tackle the underlying causes of undignified care. Any organisation, individual or member of the public can provide feedback by completing a ‘Consultation Form’, or sending an email, by Tuesday 27th March.
To view a Summary of the Report please
Click here To view the Full Report please Click here To download a Consultation Form to provide your feedback please Click here
• RPI CPI Debate Briefings have been sent out to MPs about the RPI CPI Debate scheduled for Thursday 1st March. They can be downloaded by clicking below: Briefing 1
• Last week MPs debated the draft Pensions Act 2008 (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2012; the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2012 and the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012. The full transcript of the debate can be found by clicking here
• The Annual Report and Audited Accounts for 2011 can be viewed in the Members Area under Annual Conference.
RPI CPI E-Petition
• The E-petition calling for a debate on the switch from RPI to CPI received over 107,000 signatures. John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington put the case for a debate to the House of Commons Back Bench Business Committee and has secured a debate on Thursday 1st March.
I appreciate this is very short notice, and a briefing will be sent out as soon as possible, but please can you encourage your MP to join in the debate.
The Appeal against the Judgment to reject the Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision to use the CPI has been heard in the High Court recently. As soon as any further information is available I will circulate to the Branches.
•To view the Health Committee Social Care Report published on 8th February 2012 please click here
• DON'T MEANS-TEST THE BUS PASS! - Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has recently called for the bus pass to be means-tested. David Crausby MP has tabled Early Day Motion 2665 in response (see below). Please contact your MP and ask them to sign the EDM as soon as possible. "That this House is deeply concerned at the Deputy Prime Minister's suggestion that pensioner benefits, including bus passes, ought to be means-tested; recognises the tremendous success of the free bus pass with the increased use of public transport, reduced car dependency and improvements to the quality of life of pensioners by allowing them to keep mobile and socially connected; and calls on the Government to resist means-testing and to continue fully funding the free national bus pass
scheme for all pensioners."
• RENEWAL OF CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES AND E111 CARD (EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD) - If you have a Concessionary Bus Pass or an E111 European Health Insurance Card, have you looked at the expiry dates? Don't forget you have to renew these. Read the full newsletter by clicking here
• 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
byclicking here
•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 byclicking here Download the summary of the Judgement byclicking here Download the N.F.O.P Press Release circulated 2nd December 2011 byclicking here Download the CSPA Newsletter byclicking 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.
Registered Office: Unit 6, Imperial Court, Laporte Way, Luton, LU4 8FE
Registered in England & Wales. Company Number 6996004 formerly The National Federation of Royal Mail and BT Pensioners incorporating British Steel Pensioners
Join N.F.O.P now! 
