Coalition warned to back off pensioners

Pensioners are having to choose between food and fuel and some are going to bed as early as 7pm to keep warm, Age Action said yesterday as it called on the Government not to touch the State pension or free travel pension in the upcoming budget.

It said some elderly people can no longer afford to keep their pet and others have had to stop meeting friends because they can not afford a cup of tea in a cafe.

Age Action said pensioners have been hit in four ways: With new taxes and charges; cuts to their income supports; rising prices for essential goods and services; and cuts to publicly funded services.