This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Debate on pensioner poverty
11/03/2004
An extra £125,000 to improve the
quality and consistency of information on rights and
benefits available to older people across Scotland was
announced today.
Mary Mulligan, Deputy Communities
Minister, told the Parliament that older people notoriously
under-claim benefits and the new funding will
help organisationslike Age Concern, pensioners
groups and Citizens Advice towork together to develop
better andmore joined up information
services.
During a debate on pensioner poverty,
the Minister said:
"Older people have a better deal than
ever before. Free personal care, free central heating, free
concessionary bus travel, free TV licences. But this means
nothing unless people claim what is rightly theirs. We hear
all the time about pensioners being too proud to claim
extra benefits. It's time to put an end to this. We must
ensure that people know
how to get the services they are
entitled toandthat's what this
money will
help do."
Maureen O'Neill, Director of Age ConcernScotland, said:
"We are delighted that the Executive has decided
to fund the development of information services for
older people. This grant will make a real difference to
the thousands of older people seeking help, information
and advice every year. Knowing where to turn to for
trusted help can be a real problem, and we will now be
able to help people find their way to the information
they need. We look forward to working with the
Executive and other partners to ensure that there is a
healthy future for this essential service."