Lib Dem MP visits to highlight policies on carers and pensions

9.23.48am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th Apr 2005

Paul HOlmes MP visiting Northampton

Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield, Paul Holmes will today be visiting Northampton to highlight the party's policies towards carers and pensions.

Paul is one of two Lib Dem MP's in the Region and won his seat in 2001. He was Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions in the last Parliament as well as spokesperson for People with Disabilities.

He will be visiting Sheraton Close in Headlands at 2.30pm and followed by a visit to Greenfields Special School, Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe at 4pm.

On Lib Dem plans for Older People Paul said. "Our plans to introduce a Citizen's Pension of an extra £100 a month for people over the age of 75 will be of real help to the elderly who have been hit hard by this Government and who find their means tested Pension Credit complicated and demeaning. Lib Dem plans to scrap the Council Tax would in particularly benefit low income pensioner households the average household saving up to £450 a year".

The visit to Greenfields Special school is to see a good example of a school that provides a full range of educational opportunities to students with severe and profound learning difficulties, including sensory, behavioural and physical and Autism.

Lib Dem plans would be to give local authorities the job of commissioning health and social care with every local authority having to include a local carers strategy within its Community Plan. This would cover issues like respite care, access to advocacy and information services and the special needs of young carers.

"It is difficult for many parents and carers of people with severe learning difficulties to juggle the care for their loved ones with everyday living needs" said Lib Dem Northampton North candidate Andrew Simpson. "What we want to do is reform and extend workplace legislation to make it easier for home working for people who are carers and to reform the New Deal to give more personalised help for jobseekers with caring responsibilities".