North political landscape redrawn as third of MPs quit
Jul 8 2009 by William Green, The Journal
A third of our MPs are quitting at the next election. Political editor William Green looks at the changing political landscape in North East
MPs urge PM to restore pension link
GORDON Brown is under pressure from dozens of Labour MPs to stick to a key pensions pledge amid predictions of massive spending cuts.
More than 40 MPs, including from the North East, are demanding the Government bring forward plans to restore the link between rises in the basic state pension and average earnings in the next Budget.
The call in a Commons motion is designed to ensure ministers keep to their promise to reintroduce the link in the next Parliament, probably in 2012.
But speaking in 2006, then Pensions Secretary John Hutton told MPs the restoration of the link would be subject to affordability and the Government’s financial position at the time.
And experts are now predicting widespread public spending cuts after the next General Election, which must be held within 12 months.
North East MPs Dave Anderson, John Cummings, Ronnie Campbell and Bill Etherington have signed the motion along with 38 of their colleagues.
"Reform to the pension system is needed to allow it to serve as a foundation for retirement planning and for it to retain its value and enable people to plan for retirement with confidence," according to motion.
In a warning to the Government, it added: "To delay restoration of the earnings link subject to economic volatilities would result in an increase in the number of pensioners on means-tested benefits."
Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell said: "It is important for pensioners to keep up with the cost of living and wages.
"It was taken away by the Tories. It is going to cost a lot of money but it is only fair." He added: "It has still got to be a commitment for us. It should be put to one side and ring-fenced."
North East MPs quitting at the next election
• Peter Atkinson, Con, Hexham
• Fraser Kemp, Lab, Houghton and Washington East
• Chris Mullin, Lab, Sunderland South
• Bill Etherington, Lab, Sunderland North
• John Cummings, Lab, Easington
• Jim Cousins, Lab, Newcastle Central
• Doug Henderson, Lab, Newcastle North
• Hilary Armstrong, Lab, North West Durham
• Alan Milburn, Lab, Darlington
• Frank Cook, Lab, Stockton North – deselected.
