Hostile reception for Timms
Pensions Minister Stephen Timms endured a hostile reception on Tuesday when he spoke at the Pensioners’ Parliament.
The annual event, organised by the National Pensioners Convention, seeks to showcase pensioners’ views and influence policy makers.
Mr Timms was forced to pause in his speech as he was subjected to boos and slow handclapping.
Mr Timms told the convention that Labour had raised the standard of living for millions of pensioners and had targeted the poor through means tested benefits. He also highlighted benefits like the winter fuel allowance and the free TV license for pensioners.
But the convention wants the state pension to be linked to average earnings and an end to means testing. Research from the NPC earlier this week suggested that one in five OAPs still lived below the poverty line.
