Liberal Democrats will give Scottish pensioners a fair deal - Alexander (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale Liberal Democrats)

Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Liberal Democrats will give Scottish pensioners a fair deal - Alexander

April 10, 2010 11:15 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey Danny Alexander has outlined Liberal Democrat plans which would benefit older and disabled people in Scotland.

Danny Alexander today attended a coffee morning held in aid of Crossroads for Carers at Crown Church Hall in Inverness to discuss plans which will be in the national manifesto which will be launched next week.

The Lib Dems will restore the link between pensions and earnings which was broken by the Conservatives, and which Labour has failed to restore in 13 years. They will scrap income tax on all earnings below £10,000, giving money back to many carers and pensioners. And they will overhaul efforts to tackle fuel poverty so help goes where it is most needed - including disabled people, families with disabled children and homes which are off the mains gas network.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said:

"No-one should doubt the difficult decisions which are facing our country as a result of Labour's recession.

"In the election, the country has a choice about the way forward. By voting for the Liberal Democrats, we can face those decisions honestly and choose to build a fairer country.

"Liberal Democrats would restore the earnings link for pensioners so their standard of living is not allowed to fall behind again, as it was during the Conservative era and during Labour's boom.

"We would give pensioners and carers a fair tax deal, by scrapping income tax completely on the first £10,000 of earned income.

"Last, but certainly not least after the winter we have had, we would get help with soaring fuel bills to the people who need it most.

"We will make sure that the winter fuel payment is given to severely disabled people, and families with disabled children who are among the most likely to face the misery of fuel poverty.

"Those without access to the mains gas network are also hit hard by heating bills. To help them, we will regulate the heating fuel supply chain. We will review home insulation support schemes, so help goes to the people who need it most desperately, not just to the cases which are cheapest and easiest to solve."