The UNITE Federation and the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance launched A Call to Action earlier on this week at the Houses of Parliament. The event was attended by the Pensions Minister, Angela Eagle, the Conservative Shadow Pensions Minister, Nigel Waterson and Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

A Call to Action contains a series of proposals which the UNITE Federation and the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance want political parties to consider in their plans for Government. It calls specifically for action to improve pension provision for all, particularly the need to protect the future of remaining final salary pension schemes, including those in the public sector and to make significant improvements in the State Retirement Pension. It also calls for action to improve the provision of health services and long-term social care for older people, action to help ensure that older people don't face social & financial exclusion and can afford to heat their homes. In addition, it goes on to point out that the fear of becoming a victim of crime has a huge impact on the quality of life of many older people. Action is demanded to help older people to protect their home and to ensure that the police service takes the needs of older people into account.

The document will be distributed to parliamentary candidates from each of the main political parties who will be asked to respond to the proposals.