A letter from Cllr Jacquie Bell
October 20, 2008 5:44 PM
Dear Sir
The Credit Crisis is ongoing.
Many will be affected but amongst those most hit will be pensioners.
Often they will be those who have invested by means of pension funds in the funds that are so sorely hit. It is interesting how many small investors as well as local Councils (but not East Lothian) have been hit by the troubles in Iceland.
I have been campaigning for a long time for a Citizen's Pension - whereby all receive the minimum that the Government says pensioners need to live on but many do not receive as they do not claim Pension Credit. They may not claim Pension Credit for many reasons e.g. they feel it is charity or they have dementia and there is nobody available to fill in the complex forms on their behalf. It is essential that pensioners receive their entitlement,
Pensioners moving to care homes may also be hit. Particularly affected are those who bought council property under Right to Buy legislation. Such people may have limited savings and limited capital but they are deemed to be self funding by local councils as they bought and own their property. From my experience as an older peoples' social worker such properties are not selling very fast - if at all in the current financial climate. At a time of stress in moving to a care home there is the added stress that homes are not selling. Care homes may wish the fees to be paid and relatives cannot support their older relative's placement. There is no option for a bank loan.
I have had discussion with a number of council portfolio holders and with Vince Cable, the Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor, regarding the possibility of council's buying back such former council properties. This would release money for those needing to pay care home bills and move property into the affordable housing sector.
Vince Cable has said that he thinks that he thinks that this is a good idea. He will think over the mechanics. What is essential is the funding for such a scheme from the Scottish Government.
Cllr Jacquie Bell
Dunbar and East Linton Ward
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