What price democracy??

Note: Evening of Friday 11th April 2008

Well the amended version (see below) has not been accepted/gone live but not been rejected yet either - perhaps they need the whole weekend to find an excuse for the second rejection!!

It now clearly asks for action - the first excuse!


"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Review the Ruling denying Freedom of Movement in Europe to those in the UK in receipt of Pension Credit.

[Submitted by Anna Wotton – Deadline to sign up by: 10 April 2009
Category: Public order, justice and rights]

More details:

Is it just for our government to allow a pensioner over-wintering in Spain to receive their Winter Fuel payment whereas other pensioners, in need of top-up income to their State Pension (Pension Credit) are not able to live in the EU as this top-up is withdrawn when they stay away from the UK for any longer than 4 weeks?

A recent High Court ruling has dictated that recipients of DLA Care Component can continue to claim this if they move to Europe. Where is equality for the recipients of Pension Credit?

This ruling is a total nonsense considering we are all EU citizens and many older people would find improvements in their health (particularly those with arthritis) if they were able to escape our cold damp winters. This would undoubtedly have a positive knock-on effect on the uptake of GP-time and the amount of pain relief required by this group of people. Those who suffer from the debilitating condition SAD are also less prone to suffering from depression when the daylight hours are warmer and longer.

This is not Freedom of Movement but treating pensioners as second-class citizens by denying them the human right of choice.

Please sign this petition, we need change now!"


Below is the text of a petition that has been rejected by the No 10 team, on the grounds that it does not call for action!!

[I have amended the title and text and re-submitted it however I'm not holding my breath!

Perhaps they are scared of the issue being raised knowing it could open the proverbial 'floodgates'!]

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to: 'review the fact that There is No Freedom of Movement in Europe for those in the UK in receipt of Pension Credit.'

How can our government allow a pensioner over-wintering in Spain to receive their Winter Fuel payment whereas other pensioners, in need of top-up income to their State Pension (Pension Credit) are not able to live in the EU as this top-up is withdrawn when they stay away from the UK for any longer than 4 weeks?

A recent High Court ruling has dictated that recipients of DLA Care Component can continue to claim this if they move to Europe. Where is equality for pensioners? This ruling is a total nonsense considering we are all EU citizens and many older people would find improvements in their health (particularly those with arthritis) if they were able to escape our cold damp winters. This would undoubtedly have a positive knock-on effect on the uptake of GP-time and the amount of pain relief required by this group of people. Those who suffer from the debilitating condition SAD are also less prone to suffering from depression when the daylight hours are warmer and longer.

This is not Freedom of Movement but victimisation of pensioners by denying the human right of choice to senior citizens.

Please sign this petition, we need change now!