‘Old age creeps up on us all. You can’t delay it, you can and should prepare for it but before you know it you’re there – the ‘golden years.’

I like to consider that I have done my fair bit for my country and my community – I’ve worked either part-time or full-time for most of my life, paid my taxes, raised 3 children and am helping to raise 5 lovely grandchildren. When you grow older, you like to do so with dignity and respect but it is also important to feel valued too. That’s why all the measures that Labour have introduced for pensioners since 1997 have gone a long way to not only combat pensioner poverty but to demonstrate the importance Labour places on us older people. Thanks to the Labour government, I can now benefit from a £250 Winter Fuel Allowance, a free TV License, free eye tests, free NHS prescriptions and soon every pensioner will be able to benefit from free travel schemes.

But it’s not just about measures to make later life easier; Labour has reformed the pensions system to make it fairer for women. Now pensions take into consideration the caring roles that mainly women undertake – these new measures will help women and carers build up a decent income in retirement.

When you get to my age – you think you know it and have seen it all. Well, I’m not too proud to say that I didn’t know it all and I have seen real change with Labour. It has been thanks to a Labour government that pensioners are getting a better deal and Labour is working hard to make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.’