David's weekly article, 21st november
This week’s sudden change to colder weather, and the whiteness of the frosts which have covered our landscape, has instantly made Christmas feel a lot closer.
Next week I start my programme of Christmas visits.
I returned from London on Thursday night last week, to a very cold house which had been chilled by the rapid freeze outside.
On Friday morning I awoke to find the whole area covered in a sharp white frost, and in my garden I watched three young deer pick their way carefully across the striking but harsh landscape, looking for food.
On this beautifully clear day, I started with an Advice Centre at the Broadway Service Station in Merriott, and later I went out in Yeovil with the marvellous “Meals on Wheels” team, which delivers hot meals 365 days a year! We have managed to keep this service going in South Somerset because of the sheer dedication and determination of the volunteers involved – well done to Penny and to all of her team.
A hot meal is particularly welcome at this time of year, and for some people the call from “Meals on Wheels” may be their one contact of the day.
In the afternoon, we held a Roving Advice Centre in Tellis Cross in East Coker, and in parts of Odcombe. It was a beautiful day, but when the sun started to go down the icy grip re-asserted itself.
After further meetings in the afternoon, I called in to Ilminster in the evening for the “Victorian Evening” and the switch on of the Christmas Lights.
The evening is arranged by the Ilminster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Bryan Ferriss and Clinton Bonner were running the show.
The evening is always a great success, and spirits were not chilled by the freezing air. There was another huge turn-out amongst local residents, and a very cheerful seasonal atmosphere in the market square of this lovely town.
At 6.30pm, I presented the awards in the “Best Dressed Shop Window Competition”, and at 7pm Revd Alastair Wallace switched on the glorious Christmas Lights. Congratulations to the Christmas Lights Committee for all the hard work which is put in over many months to make all of this a success.
On Saturday, I held an Advice Centre in South Petherton, in the David Hall, and then I called in at the St. John’s Road sheltered housing scheme in Yeovil, for a fundraising event for “Guidedogs for the Blind”, which was also attended by the Mayor, Ian Martin, and by his wife, Pat.
In the afternoon, I had to travel up to Chester for a christening, through mile on mile of foggy motorway, and on Sunday I had a 5 hour drive back into London through endless queues of traffic which built up 100 miles away from the capital – we really have an enormous challenge in tackling traffic congestion over the decades ahead.
This week in London there are debates on pensions, climate change and Northern Ireland. I will be meeting with Pensions Minister, Stephen Timms MP, to talk about the Financial Assistance Scheme, for occupational pensions, and to talk about the Pensions Commission and the issue of frozen pensions for British citizens living overseas.
This Friday, I will be at Wadham School in Crewkerne for the Sports Hall opening, and I will also be holding a meeting in Chard about the future of Bracken House (details from my office on 01935 423284).
On Friday afternoon, I am holding a Roving Advice Centre in Yeovil South (to the south of West Coker Road), and on Saturday I will be travelling to Huish Park to watch Yeovil Town FC play Oldham, in what is quite an important game for Yeovil.
Next week is a big one for me, with the report of the Pensions Commission, which will involve a statement in Parliament, and with (Oh Dear!) my 40th birthday on 30th November. I shall be trying, this week, to enjoy my last week of (almost!) youth!
Over the next few weeks, pensions will move to the top of the agenda at Westminster.
A few years ago, the Government set up an Independent Commission, under Lord Turner, to look into the future of UK Pensions.
The Commission is due to report on 30th November, and some of its conclusions already seem to have been leaked to the newspapers.
Britain has one of the meanest state pensions in the developed world, and one of the most complex systems. The complexity has got worse over recent years, as Gordon Brown has introduced many more means-tested benefits.
But many people are not claiming the means-tested benefits, and many women do not qualify for a full state pension.
In addition, only half of employees have an additional pension – and the state pension certainly does not provide a good income for retirement.
Lord Turner’s report is likely to recommend a better basic state pension, set at around £109 per week, instead of the current pension of £82. But the Commission may say that the higher pension will be gradually phased in over a long period.
The pension may also be uprated in line with earnings in the future, so that pensioners share in rising national prosperity.
All this will be expensive. It can be paid for either by higher taxes, or by increasing the state pension age. The later probably wouldn’t happen for about 20 or 25 years, so it will not affect those close to retirement.
But we are all living much longer, so pensions are getting more expensive to deliver.
One quarter of today’s 40 year old women will live beyond age 95.
There is also an issue about public sector pensions, which are becoming increasingly expensive to fund. These will need to be reformed (including those for MPs) to make them sustainable in the future, and to be fair to all citizens.
After Lord Turner’s Report is delivered, I hope that there will be a serious national debate on pensions, and a real attempt to secure a cross-party consensus.
All best wishes,
David.
PS: My next Advice Centres are in Yeovil (Friday 25th November, appointments only) Ilminster and Crewkerne (Saturday 26th November), Yeovil (Saturday 3rd December, appointments only), Chard (Saturday 10th December), Yeovil (Friday 16th December, appointments only), Ilminster and Crewkerne (Saturday 17th December). All details from my Yeovil office on 01935 423284.