Older people are missing out on £3.5bn in unclaimed benefits despite almost one in four over-65s finding it difficult to make ends meet, charity Age UK has today announced.

Research from the charity found that millions of older people who were eligible for benefits, including Pension Credit, were not claiming the money they were entitled to. The charity also warned that 1.9 million pensioners were now living below the poverty line despite not claiming their full benefits.

With a general election now called for June 8^th, both Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green have refused to say if they are set to ditch the triple lock, which ensures the state pension rises in line with average earnings, inflation or 2.5% - whichever is the highest.
 
A report published yesterday by Age Scotland revealed that over 200,000 pensioners in Scotland are struggling financially, and highlighted a rise in pensioner poverty across the UK.
 
Campaigning in Stirling today, the First Minister will highlight the SNP’s record for pensioners in government – including protecting and investing in Free Personal and Nursing Care for the elderly, protecting Winter Fuel Payments and working with Age Scotland to increase the uptake of financial support available to older people.
 
Speaking ahead of her visit, Nicola Sturgeon said:
 
“The treatment of pensioners by this Tory government has been nothing short of a national scandal. Millions of women have been denied their rightful state pension – the WASPI campaign has worked tirelessly to highlight their plight, but Theresa May’s government has coldly brushed aside their concerns.

Confectionery giant Nestle is planning to cut almost 300 jobs, mainly in York and Newcastle, and move production of the Blue Riband chocolate biscuit to Poland.

Figures released by the Trussell Trust today (Tuesday) have shown that foodbank use in Scotland has hit new record levels as the impact of failed Tory austerity continues to hit our communities.
 
The latest statistics from the Trussell Trust showed that 145,865 three-day emergency food supplies were provided by the network of 52 foodbanks across Scotland in 2016/17, including 47,955 for children – a 9% increase on 2015/16.
 
The devastating impact of Tory austerity is leaving increasing numbers of people seeking emergency food supplies through the Trussell Trust – who cited low income as the single biggest reason for referral to Scottish foodbanks, and benefit delays and changes also key drivers. 
 
Commenting, SNP MP Stuart Donaldson said:
 
“Today’s latest figures from the Trussell Trust are absolutely devastating – and bring into sharp focus the disastrous impact of Tory austerity on our communities.
 
“After seven years of Tory rule they continue to take a slash and burn approach to wages, public services and cutting the vital social security safety net – resulting in more and more people being forced to turn to foodbanks in order to survive.
 
“The fact that nearly 50,000 children across Scotland had to rely on these emergency supplies is simply heart-breaking, and proof that the Tories cannot be trusted to govern in the interests of those most in need of security, shelter and care.
 
“Tory failures are driving this increased demand for foodbanks – and voters must take their chance in June’s election to send a clear message to this toxic and nasty Tory party that their divisive, extreme and ideologically-driven austerity obsession that is destroying our communities will not be tolerated here.”

Image courtesy of the BBC

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The drinks company Diageo has announced plans to cut over 100 jobs in Scotland because of concerns over Brexit, it was reported today, including 70 redundancies in Fife and 35 near Glasgow.

Vince Cable, who famously predicted the credit crunch, has warned that the recent fall in retail sales are a sign the "post-Brexit honeymoon" for the UK economy is coming to an end.

Figures out today have shown UK retail sales saw their biggest quarterly fall in seven years in March, as rising prices since the Brexit vote hit consumer spending.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat former Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“These worrying figures suggest the post-Brexit honeymoon is over.

"Our economy has been sustained by consumer spending, based on substantial and unsustainable amounts of consumer debt. That now appears to be coming to an end.

"Consumers are being hit with a Brexit squeeze to living standards caused by rising prices and the falling pound.

"What the country needs is substantial investment to raise productivity, but this is being inhibited by all the uncertainty around a hard Brexit.

"This election is a chance to the change the direction of our country, prevent a hard Brexit and keep Britain in the single market."

Amongst all the mayhem of BREXIT and the General Election we are pleased to note that out directory has been steadily growing, thanks to the input of our Essex University Student Union student team. Some of the students have continued working over the Easter holidays.

In the directory, you will find a wide range of organisations that assist those on low incomes. We will be adding to this during the rest of the year. and beyond. Please also note Events which we are developing shortly.  

Assuming all goes to plan, Parliament will dissolve on May 2nd.  

Colchester Member of Parliament the Rt Hon. Will Quince MP has done a very good job in looking after the ABC and myself personally. With public services run down to the bone you need an MP’s support to get things done.

In that department, Will has been an excellence constituency MP, despite initial inexperience, and being in the job just two years.

Will championed issue of stillbirth and baby loss and put it on the Government's agenda and he has assisted get £40 million from VAT on sanitary products going to women's charities, plus other regional initiatives. He deserves a round of applause for the hard work and effort he has put into the job.

The treatment of the government of people - the benefit sanctions and the persecution of the disabled and the many deaths that have resulted from the governments treatment of those needing a safety net, must be balanced against Will’s personal track record. The government are hoping to increase their majority but we could see a ‘referendum’ type surprise? 

The noose has been tightening regarding election expenses. So far 14 police forces have sent files to the Crown Prosecution Service, the CPS, to decide whether charges should be brought against the MPs or their agents for knowingly filing false election expenses. This may have been on the prime ministers mind also when calling a snap election. Around 20 MPs and their agents are being considered for charges. A total of 40 people. Certainly at least 30 say the BBC. 

Fortunately for Will Quince MP his constituency is not one of the ones under suspicion. 

The files with the Crown Procecution Service - from the Avon & Somerset, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, Metropolitan, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands and West Yorkshire forces - cover more than 14 seats.