Since the pensions and earnings link was cut in 1980 by the then Thatcher Government, the State pension has severely declined in value because increases have been linked to the lower inflation rate, and not the much higher national average wages. Due to this policy, todate, millions of elderly people live in poverty due to among other things, excessively high Utility charges, and the price of food in shops. There are 12 million pensioners in Britain, and 1 in 5 live in poverty, with millions having to make choices between heating their homes and buying food. I have long believed that the younger people of this country have a duty to stand and be counted on behalf of the old, not least because if it had not been for our war veterans, none of us would likely be around today, but also because what's happening to the old today, is going to happen to the young when they are old. The State pension in this country is a national disgrace, yet means testing pensioners for equally disgraceful State handouts is costing 20 times more than a better and higher basic State pension. The thing is we can spend £9.1 billion a year in overseas aid, plus fight foreign wars, plus sending £50 million a day to the EU, yet we are told by our Government ministers that we can afford to pay our pensioners a decent level of State pension. I say that what's being said is rubbish. The reality is that the right wing Governmnent's we British have constantly elected over the past 3 decades, simply do not believe in the State pension, or the role of the State, they believe in private pensions, and privatisation, hence the cuts now. Today, critics will ask "why should richer pensioners also receive a much higher basic State pension ?". The answer is simple, "because they also have paid in all their working lives". The State pension should not be based on "need", it should be paid as a "right" for all UK pensioners. Also, remember, means testing pensioners for State handouts is via the beaurocratic paperwork involved, is costing 20 times more than a decent increase in the State pensions. It is also harrowing to know that Cold kills 180 British pensioners a day during winter. Britain has 12 million elderly people. “”Nine elderly people died every hour from cold-related illnesses last winter against a background of soaring energy bills. Official figures show the number of deaths linked to cold over the four-month period reached 25,400 in England and Wales, plus 2,760 in Scotland. Charities and energy company critics claim the UK has the highest winter death rate in northern Europe, even worse than much colder countries such as Finland and Sweden. Winter worries: More than 300,000 UK pensioners have died of cold related illnesses since 1997 There are fears the toll could rise this year following a recent barrage of price rises that may frighten elderly people into not turning on their heating. Heated issue: Pensioners see rising fuel bills and worry about whether they can afford to warm the house While the UK death rate is high, the total was down by around 30 per cent compared with 2008/9 because there were fewer flu outbreaks, according to the Office for National Statistics. Also the Coalition government has cut the last administration’s Winter Fuel Allowance payments of £250 for pensioners and £400 for those over 80, by £50, but nothings been said about it via the media. ENERGY BILL RISES Energy providers have announced big rises in prices this winter. • Scottish Power is increasing electricity bills by 8.9 per cent. • Scottish & Southern Electricity is putting up gas by almost 10 per cent. • British Gas announced a 7 per cent rise on gas and electricity Michelle Mitchell, director of the charity Age UK, said:'It’s still unacceptable that in this day and age tens of thousands more older people die in this country every winter from the effects of the cold weather. 'As another winter sets in, plummeting temperatures will once again spell misery, ill-health and, in some cases, even death for too many people in later life across the country. 'The simple fact that the UK has one of the highest winter mortality rates in Europe – higher than even Sweden or Finland – makes it clear this is very much a home-grown problem. The fact is the UK’s elderly have seen their living standards plummet since the 80’s, and as a result millions of pensioners have and are living in poverty, after paying taxes and N.I. Contributions into the system all their working lives, ie for 30, 40, and 50 years. And the same thing is going to happen to young people also, if things don’t change for the better soon in this country. Please sign my petition.