OAPs slam the States

AS politicians grapple with a looming crisis in its finances, the voice of pensioners remains notable by its absence. But with rateable values set to triple, the threat of a sales tax and milk deliveries in doubt, the elderly's pockets are bound to be squeezed.

At an OAP Association monthly meeting, a generation brought up on thrift gave their opinions on free-spending politicians and spelt out their concerns for the future.

Doris Lane, 86, owns her own house and is worried about a possible trebling in rateable value. She worked at the hospital and is on a single pension.

Dora Hanley, 84, said her rates had already shot up because of a new sun lounge in her home.

'If they treble the rates, it would be scandalous,' she added.

Mary Vedier, 76, said that prices were going up, including heating.

'Bags of coal are '1.10 more expensive and I need three a week,' she said.

Kath Moriarty said: 'I feel sorry for the self-employed, it is going to cost them thousands.

'The '10 on our pensions has gone already. The only things we get for free are buses and our prescriptions.

'I don't think some of the deputies are qualified to make decisions on the black whole, I am sorry to say.'

Elizabeth Thompson believes politicians are to blame for spending recklessly.

'I think the deputies have done it themselves and should get us out of it,' said Elizabeth Thompson, 77.

'The old deputies who did it should be brought back to solve it.'

Some members believed that there was not enough transparency and that the issue had not been properly explained.

'We've been kept in the dark,' said Brian J. de Jersey, 65.

He said the States was 'secretive' in how it spent money.

Roy Battle, 79, added: 'We should be able to pick up the paper and read how much the deputies spend on their functions.'

'Why don't the deputies take less pay and less holidays ' they've got money, they can afford it,' said Barbara Gilbert, 71.

'The problem is, we're living too long,' said Roy Denziloe.

'We have put a few pounds away and it's being taken away from us.

'I remember a deputy once told me: 'Don't bother saving, spend it now'.'

He thought it was a ruse to get more people hooked on debt and to allow banks to earn money.

The 84-year-old said taxing boatowners more could raise extra money, as could fewer street lights and having stiffer penalties for petty crime such as motoring offences and drunkenness.

'And just look at heating bills ' we might be sitting in our overcoats this winter. 'It's time for us to stand up and be counted.'

But many pensioners feel sidelined in the consultation process and expected politicians to ride roughshod with taxes to fill the black hole.

'Some of our members think it is all cut and dried,' said Bill Gillingham, who served as chairman for nine years.

To illustrate the point, current chairman Roy Trustum picked up the microphone and asked: 'How many think that giving your opinions is a waste of time?'

Everyone put a hand up.