Parties debate policy in Andover

Over 50 people attended the Andover Older People's Forum meeting "Harnessing the Grey Vote" at the Lights in Andove on Friday.

A presentation by Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners' Convention was followed by a question and answer session and debate between representatives of the main political parties in the town. Speakers were Kit Malthouse, Conservative PPC for NW Hampshire, Andy Fitchet from Andover Labour party and Len Gates, vice chair of NW Hampshire Liberal Democrats. UKIP were also booked to attend but their speaker failed to arrive. Topics discussed included pensions, taxation and the future of the NHS.

Questions were asked about the low level of pensions and the link between pension rises and price rises and what the parties would do to raise pensions. Len Gates explained the Liberal Democrat triple lock ensuring pensions rose by inflation, wages or 2.5%. The party plans to write this triple lock into law in the next parliament. He also urged everyone to take full advantage of additional benefits to which they are entitled. "Over £5.5 billion of benefits are unclaimed each year" he said.

All speakers agreed universal benefits such as winter fuel allowance, free prescriptions, eye tests, bus passes and TV licences should remain but both Labour and Lib Dems agreed items such as winter fuel payments and TV licences should be withdrawn for higher rate tax payers. Bus passes should remain for all and local councils must do more to protect and expand bus services which are an essential ife line for many older people Len Gates said.

Kit Malthouse defended tax benefits for the well off whereas the other speakers concentrated on tax cuts for those most in need and additional taxation on tax avoiders, houses worth over £2 million, tobacco companies and non domiciled residents. Len Gates explained Lib Dem increases in the tax-free personal allowance to £10,000 in this parliament and their plan to raise this to at least £12,500 in the next.

The most heated arguments were on the NHS and the question of future funding. Labour strongly opposed privatisation of the NHS. Kit Malthouse defended privatisation claiming privatised services worked well at local hospitals. The debate chairman corrected him explaining cleaning and catering services in local hospitals are still run in house. Len Gates said privatisation was not appropriate in a public service and explained Lib Dem plans to increase spending on NHS services by at least £1 billion per year. "Health and social care should be integrated and planned locally to improve well-being not just treat illness" he said. "Services should be organised from the bottom up and if, after cost savings, the NHS needs more money the government must find it." Len continued by explaining Lib Dem commitments to improve support for carers and increased investment in mental health care so that mental health patients get the same rights to treatment as fast as people with physical health issues.

Andover Older Peoples' Forum hope to hold another meeting in the New Year with more time devoted to public questions on party manifestos.