Frustration Over Pensions & Health

A MORI poll today indicates the Government is so far failing to meet the expectations of influential older voters. The Help the Aged/MORI findings report a sense of frustration by pensioners over the Government's handling of pensions and health issues.

The poll shows that more than twice as many people aged 65 and over are likely to vote at the next election than are younger people. The MORI poll found that 56% of the 65+s said they were 'certain to vote' at the next election, compared to 23% of 18-24 year olds.

And thirty six per cent of older people say the NHS is one of the most important issues facing the country; 17% say pensions and social security is.

The poll found that over half (55%) of those aged 65 and over are dissatisfied with the way the Government is running the country, compared to 49% of all adults and 44% of 18-24 year olds.

Mervyn Kohler, Head of Public Affairs at Help the Aged, said :"Our poll reflects pensioners' frustration over the lack of progress on pensions and health. It shows the strength of the pensioner vote and the importance pensioners attach to these issues. Help the Aged applauds the Governments' initiatives so far but much more needs to be done on the basics. We will work with pensioners and the Government to push forward the key concerns which the poll has raised."

Professor Robert M.Worcester, Chairman of MORI, said: "With 20% of the electorate aged 65+, and 12 per cent aged under 25, 'Grey Power' has four times the potential as the youth vote."

The poll is backed by a new study on the lifestyles of older people published by Help the Aged and MORI on the same day. The report - 'Grey Power' - by Sir Robert Worcester, shows that older people's electoral weight is matched by their economic power - with people over the age of 45 controlling 80% of the country's financial wealth.

In a consultative exercise with pensioners over the last 12 months, Help the Aged found the main causes of dissatisfaction among pensioners were the level of the basic State Pension, poor transport and the need for warmer homes. Pensioners told the Charity they were keen to take direct action to highlight their anger and intend to lobby their MPs and the media more vigorously.

Grey Power is available by making out a cheque to Help the Aged for 1638 (includes p&p) and dispatching it to: Jenny Havis, Help the Aged, St James' Walk, Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R OBE

Results of the consultative exercise with pensioners are contained in the Speaking up for our Age National Conference Report which is available from Jenny Havis at the above address.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,862 British adults aged 18+ at 165 sampling points across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in home on 20-23 August 1999.

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