RECENT BRIEFINGS (EXAMPLES)
NB Silver Voices Members can obtain back copies of specific briefings by e-mailing info@silvervoices.co.uk
TV LICENCES
Briefing 51/24, dated 7 November 2024, provided up to date advice on the campaign to restore free TV licences to the over 75s
WINTER FUEL PETITION HAND-IN
Briefing 48/24, dated 21 October 2024, covered a joint hand-in of petitions to the Treasury and 10 Downing Street against the winter fuel cuts, by charities and campaign groups, totalling over half a million signatures. The Silver Voices petition contributed 106,000 of these.
DIGITAL VOICE UPDATE
Briefing 44/24, dated 25 September 2024, provided an update on the programme to convert all traditional landlines to digital alternatives. Following representations from Silver Voices, the Government has asked telecom companies not to make any non-voluntary transfers for the reminder of this calendar year.
TARGETING THE BUDGET
Briefing 43/24, dated 19 September 2024, launched a new petition aimed at the Budget on 30 October, to ensure the attacks on universal benefits are halted and calling for the state pension to be improved. The petition can be signed below:
https://www.change.org/Budget-
LABOUR AND THE NHS
Briefing 40/24, dated 27 August 2024, questioned how the new Government is going to be able to deliver its promises on the NHS without additional funding and without tackling the social care crisis. Steps to eliminate age discrimination in the NHS were also called for.
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT
Briefing 36/24, dated 1 August 2024 outlined our opposition to the Chancellor’s statement that the WFP will be withdrawn from 10 million older people with immediate effect. Silver Voices has set up a petition to call for a reversal of this cruel policy. the petition can be signed below:
https://www.change.org/p/save-the-winter-fuel-payment
GENERAL ELECTION AND PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
Briefing 34/24, dated 9 July, covers the Labour landslide victory and how the result strengthens the case for PR in future elections
PETITION ON SOCIAL CARE SCANDAL
Briefing 28/24, dated 7 June 2024, launched a new petition to force the subject of the crisis in social care into the General Election debate. It can be signed on the following link:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-homes-being-sold-to-pay-for-social-care
SUB-POST OFFICE SCANDAL
Briefing 25/24, dated 23 May 2024, described the experiences of a sub-postmistress, in her own words, who is now a Silver Voices member
TACKLING AGEISM IN SPORT
Briefing 22/24, dated 7 May 2024, gave a first hand example of how the achievements of older athletes are ignored by the media
NHS CRISIS
Briefing 20/24, dated 24 April 2024, covered the latest statistics on the continuing crisis across the NHS
PARTIAL VICTORY ON DIGITAL VOICE
Briefing 17/24, dated 5 April 2024, described how telecom companies have been forced to make the digital switchover voluntary, because of the concerns over the personal safety of customers, at least for the time being
SCRAPPING NATIONAL INSURANCE THREATENS STATE PENSION
Briefing 14/24, dated 19 March 2024, emphasised the threats posed to the state pension by the Conservatives’ policy of scrapping National Insurance
VICTORY ON ONLINE GP APPOINTMENTS
Briefing 13/24, dated 12 March 2024, claimed victory in our campaign to outlaw online only GP appointments, with strict new amendments to GP contracts
BUDGET ANALYSIS
Briefing 12/24, dated 7 March 2024, condemned the Budget Speech for offering nothing, except tax rises for older people
THREATENED RISES IN THE STATE PENSION AGE
Briefing 8/24, dated 13 February 2024, covered fresh threats to raise the state pension age beyond 66 and Silver Voices’ opposition
ONLINE ONLY GP APPOINTMENT PROCESSES
Briefing 4/24, dated 19 January 2024, asked for information about GP practices adopting online only appointment systems, in breach of GP contracts
AUTOMATIC CANCER SCREENING
Briefing 3/24, dated 13 January 2024, confirmed that Silver Voices had registered a formal complaint with the EHRC, arguing that the Department of Health and Social Care was in breach of equalities legislation by putting age limits on automatic cancer screening services.
SAVE OUR LANDLINES
Briefing 1/24, dated 2 January 2024, provides advice to members on what they should do to prevent the forced switchover of traditional landlines to an internet-based system
DWP SNOOPERS
Briefing 56/23, dated 15 December 2023, outlined plans for DWP investigators to be given powers to snoop on state pensioners’ bank accounts
TRIPLE LOCK VICTORY
Briefing 53/23, dated 23 November 2023, provided an analysis of the Autumn Statement, including our victory in ensuring that the full Triple Lock increase is paid on state pensions next April
THE ELUSIVE FAMILY DOCTOR
Briefing 50/23, dated 9 November 2023, outlines the results of our member survey on the difficulties experienced in making GP appointments
CRUMBLING LOCAL SERVICES
Briefing 49/23, dated 5 November 2023, describes the dire state of local government services after a decade of cuts
THREATS TO PENSIONS AND BENEFITS
Briefing 46/23,dated 20 October 2023, covered the threats to the state pension and benefits in the November Autumn Statement
SUNAK CONFERENCE SPEECH
Briefing 44/23, dated 9 October 2023, pointed out that the Prime Minister’s speech to his party conference totally ignored the challenges facing older people
CAMPAIGNING ON AGE DISCRIMINATION
Briefing 42/23, dated 28 September 2023, covers our response to a Parliamentary Inquiry on age discrimination
DIGITAL VOICE
Briefing 38/23, dated 31 August 2023, explained that Silver Voices is withdrawing its support from BT’s Digital Voice programme to remove all landlines by 2025, as promises to safeguard older people have not been kept
GENERAL ELECTION 2024: SILVER VOICES POLICY AGENDA
Briefing 36/23, dated 18 August 2023, consulted members on on our current policy agenda, in preparation for the coming General Election, expected next year
TICKET OFFICE CLOSURES
Our Briefing 31/23, dated 11 July, covered our support for the campaign against the proposals to close virtually all railway ticket offices in England
MINIMUM STATE PENSION OF £320 PER WEEK
Briefing 24/23, dated 18 May, announced the result of our poll of members on our proposed new pension policy. 99% voted in favour of our call for a minimum state pension of £320 per week (half average earnings)
EHRC AND OLDER PEOPLE
Briefing 23/23, dated 12 May, expressed concerns about the lack of priority given to age discrimination by the EHRC
LOCAL SILVER VOICES GROUPS
Briefing 20/23, dated 23 April 2023, explained how to set up local groups to campaign in your locality
SOCIAL CARE BETRAYAL
Briefing 19/23, dated 17 April, outlined the serial broken promises of the Government on social care
SMARTPHONE APPS
Briefing 18/23, dated 11 April, highlighted the implications for older people of the rush to smartphone apps across all sectors of society
OVER 75s TV LICENCE REVOLT
Briefing 15/23, dated 22 March, revealed the extent of non-payment of TV licences by over 75s who previously held a free licence.
SPRING BUDGET ANALYSIS
Briefing 14/23, dated 16 March 2023, analysed the Spring Budget from an older person’s perspective. We described it as a “total non-event”.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Briefing 11/23, dated 2 March 2023, covered the latest developments on Government energy support.
DIGITAL VOICE
Briefing 10/23, dated 25 February 2023, described the assurances given by BT to protect older and vulnerable people in the roll out of Digital Voice.
NOW OR NEVER FOR SOCIAL CARE
Briefing 7/23, dated 6 February 2023, outlined Silver Voices’ position on the social care crisis, and the need for urgent action.
SAVE FREEVIEW TV
Briefing 4/23. dated 18 January, explained our new campaign to save Freeview TV and aerial radio from being squeezed out by internet-based services.
NHS AND SOCIAL CARE MELTDOWN
Briefing 3/23, dated 12 January 2023, argues that the Government is in denial about the dire state of the NHS and social care and appears to have no answers to the crisis,
HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Briefing 57/22, dated 5 December 2022, exposed the neglectful approach by Government in tackling the pressing need for age-appropriate housing for older people.
AUTUMN STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Briefing 55/22, dated 21 November 2022, provided a full analysis of the Government’s Autumn Spending Statement from the perspective of older people
VICTORY ON TRIPLE LOCK CAMPAIGN
Briefing 54/22, dated 17 November 2022, announced that the campaign to restore the Triple Lock, led by Silver Voices, had been victorious
UNPAID OLDER CARERS
Briefing 50/22, dated 25 October 2022, covered some important research from Carers UK on how unpaid carers are struggling in the cost-of-living crisis
NEW AGE OF AUSTERITY
Briefing 46/22, dated 1 October 2022, warned of the dangers of a new age of austerity in public services to pay for the tax cuts announced by the Government
MINI-BUDGET
Silver Voices criticised the Truss Budget from the perspective of older people in Briefing 45/22, dated 26 September 2022.
BBC PROSECUTIONS
Briefing 44/22, dated 23 September 2022, launched a campaign with legal charity APPEAL, to persuade the BBC to suspend prosecutions for TV licence non-payment, during the cost of living crisis
ENERGY BILLS
Briefing 41/22, dated 2 September 2022, offered advice to older people on what they should do if they cannot afford to pay their energy bills this winter. The onus should be placed on the Government and the energy companies to provide sufficient support for the basics of life.
BBC AND COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Briefing 37/22, dated 27 July 2022, reported on a meeting with BBC Executives, where it was clear that the BBC was not prepared to take any extra support measures to help poor households in the cost of living crisis
APP-DRIVEN SOCIETY
Briefing 35/22, dated 14 July 2022, covers the uncontrolled spread of smartphone Apps in business and the public services to conduct transactions. Silver Voices is concerned that this trend risks excluding millions from everyday services and transactions and is clearly age-discriminatory.
STATE PENSION STATISTICS
Briefing 32/22, dated 29 June 2022, provides statistics from the DWP that show that only 6% of state pensioners receive the top rate of £185 per week widely quoted in the media. 87% receive the old state pension rate of £142.
COST-OF-LIVING CAMPAIGN
Briefing 28/22, dated 5 June 2022, analyses the Chancellor’s latest energy support package, and includes a survey of all members to determine the next steps in the campaign.
DIGITAL VOICE
Briefing 27/22, dated 30 May 2022, outlines the dangers of the project to abandon telephone landlines in favour of an internet-based system.
QUEEN’S SPEECH
Briefing 25/22, dated 17 May 2022, covers the Queen’s Speech on future legislation, notable for its lack of measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
REBUILD GENERAL PRACTICE
Briefing 24/22, dated 11May 2022, reports on the campaign by frontline doctors to hold Government to its promises on increasing the number of GPs.
ACCESSIBLE HOUSING
Briefing 22/22, dated 27 April 2022, reports on the lack of accessible housing in the UK and the long waiting lists for home adaptions.
MAY LOCAL ELECTIONS
Briefing 19/22, dated 9 April 2022, urged older people to deny the Conservatives their votes in the May local elections in protest at the many broken promises to senior citizens, including the suspension of the triple lock.
COVID FREE TESTING SHAMBLES
Briefing 17/22, dated 30 March 2022, called for free testing to be reinstated across the UK, particularly for those with symptoms, and for the fourth dose vaccine programme to be accelerated.
SPRING SPENDING STATEMENT
Briefing 16/22, dated 23 March, reported on the Chancellor’s mini-Budget that day, which contained no measures to support the plight of older people facing astronomical price increases.
NHS AND SOCIAL CARE
Briefing 15/22, dated 20 March 2022, reported on the continuing crisis in health and social care and the need for a proper recovery plan.
FUTURE STATE PENSION RISES
Briefing 13/22, dated 8 March, calls for no further rises in the age at which the state pension becomes payable, for at least ten years.
DEMENTIA PROMISES BROKEN
Briefing 10/22, dated 19 February 2022, outlines the broken promises by the Government on dementia support and research.
ENERGY PACKAGE
Briefing 8/22, dated 7 February 2022, criticises the energy support package announced by the Chancellor, which does little to help older people.
NATIONAL INSURANCE RISE SOLD ON A LIE
Briefing 7/22, dated 2 February 2022, criticises the health and social care levy on National Insurance, from the perspective that it is being sold as necessary to fix the social care crisis, when it will do nothing of the sort.
BBC LICENCE SETTLEMENT
Briefing 5/22, dated 22 January 2022, describes the Government settlement with the BBC over the future of the licence fee for the next six years. There are no provisions in the settlement to alter the position of the over 75s being pursued over non-payment.
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER
Our first briefing of the New Year, 01/22, dated 3 January 2022, covered an open letter to the Prime Minister indicating why older people have lost trust in his Government. The letter calls for urgent action on pensions and the health and social care crisis.
COVID-19 SURVEY
Our Briefing 64/21, dated 30 November 2021, outlined the results of our large survey of members on their attitudes to Government Covid restrictions. A large majority are still cautious about social mixing and want more protective measures introduced.
BBC LOSES OUT ON BACK PAYMENTS FROM OVER 75s
Briefing 63/21, dated 23 November 2021, describes how the BBC can no longer claim back payments from unlicensed over 75s’ households, a blunder discovered by Silver Voices
THREE LINE WHIP TO DEFEAT TRIPLE LOCK AMENDMENT
Briefing 62/21, dated 16 November 2021, outlined the growing political opposition to the decision to suspend the Triple Lock on uprating state pensions, following a Lords’ amendment to reinstate the earnings link
BUDGET 2021
Briefing 57/21, dated 28 October 2021, outlined a Budget which excluded any reference to the concerns of older people over pensions, benefits, the cost of living crisis or social care.
GP APPOINTMENTS CAMPAIGN
Briefing 55/21, dated 17 October 2021, outlined the Government announcement on improving access to GPs by patients, explicitly recognising the Silver Voices request for patient choice to be the determining factor in whether a face-to-face appointment is granted.
CLIMATE CHANGE SURVEY and more
Briefing 53/21, dated 5 October 2021, provided a campaign round-up on the cost of living crisis, face-to-face GP appointments, free TV licences, and our climate change survey. The survey results are available here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-HGV88CMY9/
FREE TV LICENCES CAMPAIGN: LATEST ADVICE
Briefing 52/21, dated 28 September 2021, offered guidance to members, aged over 75, on how they could handle forthcoming visits from so-called ‘customer care’ staff from TV Licensing.
TRIPLE LOCK AND SOCIAL CARE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Briefing 48/21, dated 8 September 2021, covered the anger over the Government decision to suspend the Triple Lock on state pensions and pointed out some of the flaws in the social care reform plans.
WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS
Briefing 45/21, dated 17 August, pointed out that winter fuel payments have not been updated since 2011and that there is a need for these payments to be uplifted in line with rising energy prices.
TRIPLE LOCK
Briefing 43/21, dated 4 August, outlined the threats to the triple lock on state pension increases and posed the question to members that if the Government scraps or suspends the lock, should we campaign for older voters to deny their vote to the Conservatives?
BENEFITS UNDER ATTACK
Briefing 39/21 dated 12 July, covered the latest advice on the free TV licences campaign, and linked it to the latest benefits threat to free prescriptions for older people
NHS DENTISTS’ CRISIS
Briefing 38/21 dated 6 July outlined the crisis in NHS dentistry services across the UK and contained a survey on members’ experiences.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY
Briefing 34/21 dated 16 June kicked off a debate on climate change and what contribution older people can make.
BREAKING THE IMPASSE ON FREE TV LICENCES
Briefing 31/21 dated 3 June 2021 included a Silver Voices letter to the Director General of the BBC calling for a joint approach to the Department of Culture to break the impasse over free TV licences for the over-75s.
FACE TO FACE MEETINGS WITH GPs
Briefing 30/21 dated 30 May 2021 proposes a campaign to enforce the right of patients to have a timely face to face appointment with their GP. The pressures of the pandemic are being used to alter the ways in which the NHS is delivered locally. Remote consultations only are inherently unsafe and discriminate against older patients.
UK STATE PENSION SHAME
Briefing 29/21, dated 24 May 2021, reported on damning research by the House of Commons, showing how poor the UK state pension is in comparison to other developed countries and why pensioner poverty is so high in the UK.
THE CHANGING FACE OF THE NHS
Briefing 26/21, dated 5 May 2021, outlined the insidious service transformations taking place in the NHS under cover of the pandemic, including increased charging for previously free services and refusal of face-to-face appointments with doctors.
VACCINATION SURVEY
Our Briefing 21/21 outlines the results of a major survey on the Covid-19 vaccination programme. There was strong support for a vaccine passport/certification scheme for both foreign and domestic use. And nine in ten members agreed that health and social care staff in direct contact with vulnerable people should be vaccinated.
RETIREMENT HOUSING
Our Briefing 14/21 proposed a new model of retirement homes, advanced community villages, which are self-sufficient in terms of funding and retain close links with the surrounding communities. The Advanced Communities Prospectus can be accessed here:
Advanced Communities Newsletter
COST OF DYING
Briefing 06/21 highlights the staggering rises in the costs of funerals over the last decade and the need for independent regulation and inspection of the funerals industry as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority.
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