Building a Fairer Society

However it is not just the cost of keeping warm that is of concern to our elderly residents.

Here are two stories which we should consider;

The last remaining survivor of the Titanic sinking, last week put up for auction some of her most treasured possessions in order to obtain sufficient funds to keep herself in the nursing home where she lives.

There is a happy ending to this one in that her story received plenty of publicity. As a result a knight in shining armour, in the form of wealthy stage producer David Gest, rode to her rescue to give her the necessary 3000. I wonder how long that sum will last before she again finds herself in a similar position.

The second story was related to me by a colleague.

If I am a widowbecause I killed myhusband, I go to jail. At the age of 65 it is likely that I will only last for two years of the jail term of fifteen years before I die and my children will inherit my property.

If I am a widow because myhusband died of old age and I cannot look after myself, it is likely that I will need to go into a home. To do this I will have to sell my property to pay for my care.

At this point even Liberal Democrats might wonder whether there is any justice in staying on the right side of the law, paying your debts, working all your life, bringing up a family, taking care of an aged parent until they die, and never really bothering the doctor or the hospital too much.

The conclusion that you might come to is that the nastier and more deviant, wicked andunlawful you are the more you are taken care of. I understand it takes 1500 per week to look after people in prison.

I once remember asking the question of someone who dealt with probate and life insurance 'How much should I put aside to provide for my old age, for when I am no longer able to earn a wage?'

The answer was of course '“ it depends on how long you are going to live. Some of us are luckier than others and may never need a nursing home or even a carer.

Life does, at times, seem unfair which is why I believe there are still steps to be taken to make ours a fairer society. Those who commit crimes should be educated while they are being looked after at the taxpayers expense in order that when they do return to society they are able and willing to take a positive part. There is also a case for those who commit minor crimes to make amends through actually carrying out projects visibly in the community.

Returning to the subject of the elderly having to sell their homes in order to pay for personal care, I understand that most people are happier and live a better life if they remain in their own home. There must therefore be provision for the over 65's to receive a universal care payment based on an individual's need and not their ability to pay.