Campaigning Keighley pensioners to run stall in town centre (From Keighley News)

Campaigning Keighley pensioners to run stall in town centre

9:00am Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

A group lobbying for a better deal for local older people is to have a publicity stall in Keighley town centre.

Keighley and Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) will publicise its various campaigns on Friday, November 9, in the Airedale Shopping Centre.

Members will give out copies of a new leaflet promoting their activities and issues important to pensioners.

The group is liaising with the Yorkshire and Humber Pensioners Convention about campaigning at a regional level.

At its latest meeting the KBPA discussed the need to continue fighting cuts in public spending, and members expressed concern about news of further cuts to Bradford Council funding.

Spokesman David Clayton said there was also great concern about means-testing of Universal Benefits, which are due to replace the current benefit system.

He said: “Some members feel it will be a bit of deception – that it won’t lead to more money for pensioners but could mean cuts.”

Members fear the loss of allowances that are currently given in addition to the core benefits, such as heating allowance or free bus passes.

The KBPA is looking at the feasibility of writing a weekly “pensioners’ viewpoint” column for local newspapers.