WHEN Edward Heath, the pre-Thatcher Tory Prime Minister, gave pensioners a Christmas bonus of £10, it was enough to purchase extra food and drink for the festive season, with a little left over to purchase small luxuries.

It has remained pegged at £10 for 20 years. If it had increased annually in line with the cost of living, it would not be £70.

The "New Labour" government, if it was really concerned about pensioners, should have ensured this was made a priority.

They intend to do away with the Christmas Bonus with a vague promise to use the money they save to assist "less well-off pensioners."

The organised pensioners' movement is united on the following police:

To maintain the Christmas bonus, raising it to £70 and increasing it annually in line with the cost of living.

To restore the link between average wages and pensions, cut off by the Tory government.

Raise the universal state pension, compensating for the money lost in the last 20 years.

Restoration of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme.

If you agree, write to your MP.

Pendle Trades Union Council are also fully behind local students in their battle for the restoration of grants and against the imposition of tuition fees.

R G WOOD (Press Officer, Pendle TUC) Standroyd Drive, Colne.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.