Pensioners in the Tendring area are to press their MP for a reform of state pensions when he addresses them in Clacton later this month.

Tendring Pensioners' Action Group is also to ask Labour's Ivan Henderson, MP for Harwich and Clacton, to include a new pension scheme in the party's election manifesto.

A spokesman said: "The pensions minister has indicated that the party could change the rules about minimum contributions for a full pension.

"This would mostly affect women who have not contributed as much because of their domestic circumstances. We want Mr Henderson to press the minister for changes to be made."

The group will also ask their MP for help in getting what it claims is a £60 million shortfall in health funding for Tendring, which it says is seriously affecting hospoital facilitlies in the area.

The group will also express its concern over the halt to post office pension payments.

The spokesman said: "Pensioners are now having to draw pensions from cash machines, many of which charge up to £1.50 per withdrawal. This is effectively an additional tax on pensions and the result of the Government stopping the post office payment method."

The MP will attend the next meeting of the action group on February 24.

Published Thursday February 17, 2005

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