INCOME LEVELS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Early day motion 152, tabled 19 November 2002 by Edward O'Hara (Labour). Signed by 81 members.

That this House welcomes the new research, 'Modest but Adequate', that has been commissioned by Age Concern; notes the importance of establishing the income level that older people need to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and to be active members of society; calls on the Government to acknowlege the key findings of the report and in particular the figure of ú200 a week net income that the Family Budget Unit, an independent charity, says a single tenant would need for a reasonable standard of living and to adopt the use of budget standards as a useful tool, firstly for measuring how many people are achieving a modest but adequate income and secondly for deciding on the next steps to bring all older citizens up to this level.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Liberal Democrat 17, Scottish National Party 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 3, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1.