Press Release: FAS time to sort it out, not string it out
Ros’ comments on what would be required for a reasonable settlement of the problems of the FAS to stop the issue dragging on any longer.
Scrooge lives on – Government must compensate
Ros highlights rumours that Numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street are refusing to allow the DWP Ministers to offer a proper extension of the Financial Assistance Scheme before Christmas, despite previous commitments. There seems to be a row in Government over this issue.
Announcing an all-night vigil outside Downing Street
Release explaining that – despite the winter weather – desperate pension victims will spend all night on the pavement in Whitehall outside Downing Street and deliver a letter begging for justice.
Prime Minister's answers to David Cameron at Question Time
Ros’ comments on extracts from Hansard showing the answers given by Tony Blair to questions from David Cameron which called for improvements to the FAS, asked for a Treasury emergency loan to be given to help his constituent who has leukaemia, is 68 and has had no pension and no FAS.
Breathtaking double standards offering 100% compensation to Northern Rock depositors
Release highlighting the injustice of Government immediately rescuing Northern Rock savers with a 100% guarantee, while continuing to maintain that taxpayers can’t compensate pension victims who have been struggling for years with no pension.
Release welcoming Young Review report
Ros points to the interim Report of the DWP Review of FAS scheme assets, which validates her long-held view that not annuitising these assets would be much better for members, would save money for the taxpayer and would allow increased compensation without extra taxpayer costs. Appendix E in the review also highlights how a scheme to collect unclaimed life policies such as from Ireland, could raise £230m initially and then £70m a year thereafter.
Press Release criticising ABI scaremongering about the cross-party Lifeboat amendments
Ros explains for the press that the cross-party Lifeboat plans would not entail taking any money from other pension schemes or from orphan assets and that the ABI has misunderstood the proposals. Assets with owners and orphan estates need not be touched.
Press Release on FSA Retail Distribution Review
Ros’ comments on FSA Retail Distribution Review consultation paper on selling savings products in the UK. Ros suggests the only people called ‘independent advisers’ should be those who can sell across all products.
Release commenting on FAS 2006 annual report
Ros comments on the FAS annual report which shows this ‘assistance’ scheme has paid more for official costs of running it than it has to those who lost their pensions. She calls on the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to draw a line with the past, move away from spin and end the shambles of the Financial Assistance Scheme.
Announcement of a Tory Fringe meeting at Labour Party Conference before fifth 'Stripped of our Pensions' annual demonstration
Release announcing that the Tories will hold their first-ever fringe meeting at the LABOUR party conference on 25 September 2007, to call on the Government to compensate victims at least to PPF levels, then followed by another ‘Stripped of Our Pensions’ demonstration.