Return to Rationing

The Royal British Legion and Age Concern are campaigning to increase the incomes of older people living in poverty. More than a third of ex-Service pensioners report an income below the minimum required for healthy living. Many have been forced, through poverty, to ration everyday essentials, just as they did during and after World War II.

Five million members of the ex-Service community are aged over 65. Together they make up around half of the UK population over retirement age.

Legion research has shown that a significant number of older members of the ex-Service community live on low or very low incomes. The Minimum Income for Healthy Living is £7,072 per annum for a single person and £11,200 for a couple. A recent survey carried out on behalf of the Legion found that 38% of veterans, their spouses and/or widows/widowers reported an income below these levels.

Clearly the incomes of many older people need to be increased. The Legion has joined forces with Age Concern to call on the Government to:

	Develop an automated payment system for Council Tax Benefit for older people.
	Rebrand Council Tax Benefit to reflect its true nature as a 'rebate'.
	Remove the £16,000 capital limit for Council Tax Benefit for those over retirement age
	Make the statutory disregard of War Pension income 100% when means testing for Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.
	Work with the energy industry to provide a £50 fuel voucher to all Pension Credit claimants aged over 70.
	Exempt recipients of War Pensions from means testing for Disabled Facilities Grants required as a result of a Service-related injury or disablement.
	Double the Personal Expenses Allowance for residents of care homes.

This is a proud generation who made great sacrifices for their country. They deserve better and you can help by supporting our campaign.

For more information on how you can help, visit the Return to Rationing website www.returntorationing.org.uk and either send an email or write a letter in support of the campaign. Alternatively you can phone Legionline on 08457 725 725 to ask for a campaign pack, which will provide you with information about how to get involved.