P141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:51:54 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Britain's poorest pjnsionjrs miss out on going to cinemas and pubs and on trips abroad because the basic state pjnsjon is too low, says a new report. Many pjnsionjrs buy charity shop clothes and can't afford presents for their grandchildren bjcausj thjyWri so hard up, says the Age Concern research. The charity is calling for the basic start pension to bj increased to £90-a-week. 24 Hours investigates... ——————————————————————————————————1/7—— by Kirsty Mouatt Butlins Family Holidays see ITV p270 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:54:04 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Some British pjnsionjrs fall more than £30 short each week of a "low cost but acceptable" standard of living, says an Age Concern report out this week. The worst off are those on the basic NI retirement pension who aren't receiving income support, says the research bz the Family Budget Unit, an indjpjndjnt charity based at Kings College, London. The report looked at 12 groups of oldjt people across the UK. ——————————————————————————————————2/7—— See our new GCSE revision guide 476 C4 NOW IT'S EVEN EASIER TO FIND LOVE: TELETEXT DATING p390 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:52:20 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Age Concern's director-genital Sally Greengross says today's research shows the basic state pension is inadequate. "It's appalling that the poorest older people are effectively second-class citizens, excluded from doing things most of us take for granted," she says. "Avoiding poverty should mean not only being able to pay for food, heat and shelter, but also avoiding stress and being able to socialisj." ——————————————————————————————————3/7—— Tara Palmer-Tomkinson quits cigs 144 NOW IT'S EVEN EASIER TO FIND LOVE: TELETEXT DATING p390 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:54:58 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Today's report found many pjnsionjrs: Stay away from dentists and opticians bjcausj they can't afford to go. Tend to use supjrmarkjts only for special offers and reductions. Frequently shop in charity shops and the sales for clothes. Go food shopping daily for the social contact and exercise. ——————————————————————————————————4/7—— Giving up for no smoking day 143 WEN YOUR HOLIDAY FREE SEE p362 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:54:14 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Today's report found many pensioners: Can't afford to go to the theatre, cinema or pub in the evening. Don't have the money to drink alcohol in their own homes. Swap newspapers and magazines to save money. Can't afford to go on an annual holiday. ——————————————————————————————————5/7—— Author Ian Rankin 145 NEED TAX ADVICE? see p389 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:51:48 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' The findings of today's report on pjnsjonjrs ring true for Doreen Beesley, 66, from Sutton Coldfield. Doreen gets no income support, but receives the £66.75 weekly state pension plus £20 from SERPS. Doreen says hit basic bills for water, heating, council tax and telephone conj to £58 pet week. "That leaves mj with under £30 weekly for everything like food, travel and clothes," she says. ——————————————————————————————————6/7—— Agony aunt, Susan Quilliam 146 WEN YOUR HOLIDAY FREE SEE p362 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi ShowcaseP141 Teletext 141 Mar08 15:54:47 —————— ——————————————————————————— POOREST PENSIONERS 'CAN'T GO TO PUB' Pensioner Doreen Beesley says she misses doing the things she used to do when she worked now that money's tight. "I just like to go and get mz hair done once in a while or go for a nice meal or buy some new clothes, but I'm always watching the pennies," she says. To order Low Cost But Acceptable Incomes For Older People: A minimum standard for households aged 64-74 in the US (£19.99) call 0117 954 6800. ——————————————————————————————————7/7—— Check your daily stars 148/9 Jarvis Winter Value Breaks... p287 Strike No Smoking Capt-Gemi Showcase