ABOUT 90 per cent of voters aged 50 and over have thrown down the gauntlet to the Party leaders seeking their support.

Saga, a British company focused on serving the needs of those aged 50 and over, has unveiled a Manifesto for Britain’s over 50s derived from a poll of 11,000 people carried out by Populus and from the views of Saga Magazine readers

Policy demands range from an early chance to vote in an in/out European referendum to future pension increases based on an index of ‘real’ pensioner costs. 

Other proposals include stamp duty breaks, accommodation for those starting on the housing ladder, the maintenance of current pensioner benefits such as Winter Fuel Allowance, action to drive higher quality standards in care and support for family carers.

The Manifesto also calls for action to ensure quality guidance and support to help people make the most of the new pension freedoms as well as a strict Code of Conduct for those who help pensioners release money from their pensions.

The Manifesto has been presented to political leaders vying for votes in the coming General Election with a caution that it represents the views of those most likely to vote; 89 per cent of the over 65s say they will vote in the General Election compared with 52 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24.

Paul Green, Saga’s director of communications, said: “This Manifesto has fairness and equity at its core. Our research demonstrates that the UK’s over 50s vote based on issues that affect the whole country, not just those that affect themselves, so the political parties ignore them at their peril. Saga members want to engage and be engaged with and are not afraid to make difficult voting decision if their or their family’s’ future is at stake.

“The over 50s very much hold the keys to Number 10. We look forward to an open and honest debate at this critical juncture for the UK economy and society as a whole.”

To download the full Manifesto, click here