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Press Releases
Pensioners' problems prompt action from Vanessa
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Calls made to Vanessa Feltz's programme on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ London 94.9FM have led to a special edition of her programme next week highlighting problems the over-sixties are facing in London.
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Teresa in Hackney called into Vanessa's programme earlier this month, disgusted she is being penalised in her old age for contributing to a pension, and saying that she has cut down on food and eaten sandwiches when she has had a large bill for heating.
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She says: "When I retired I got both my pensions and I worked out that, by the time I paid my rent and council tax only, my living expenses that I had to live on was less than somebody that's never worked, and what the Government says an old age pensioner should have to live on."
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She adds: "I went to my local authorities to ask for some help with my rent and what they did was put aside the national amount the Government says I should have to live on, which is Β£124 a week at the moment, and they swallowed the rest up in rent and council tax."
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Vanessa says: "Teresa called my programme because she feels she is being penalised for working her whole life.
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"She told me that sometimes she doesn't have a meal in the evening, she has a sandwich instead, because she is terrified of not being able to pay her bills."
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Vanessa hopes Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ London 94.9FM will be able to help: "My programme on Monday will be a special programme looking at the problems over-sixties are facing today.
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"Dame Joan Bakewell, appointed a champion of the elderly by the Government, and Mervin Kohler, special adviser for Help the Aged, will be joining me in the studio, and we'll also have a reporter at Teresa's home in Hackney to speak further to her and also to one of her friends also experiencing similar problems.
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"I hope the programme will be able to help them, and other over-sixties across London facing similar problems, so that Teresa won't live in fear of her bills, and ensure she can have a proper meal at night."
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Hear Vanessa Feltz on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ London 94.9FM on Monday 24ΜύNovember 2008, 9.00am to midday.
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Listeners can call 020 7224 2000, text 07786 200949 or email vanessa@bbc.co.uk to have their say on the issue.
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