Equitable Life pensioners call on MP for support

EQUITABLE pensioners are outraged at facing a payout of around half the amount they have lost.

Angry members of the Equitable Life pension fund, lead locally by Ray Bittan, of Winceby Close, have been battling for years to get fair compensation after their retirement savings were destroyed when the company almost collapsed in 2000.

And now Ray and other pensioners are piling pressure on the town's MP, Greg Barker, to honour a pledge he made before the election to help their cause.

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"Mr Barker always expresses his support but he's stuck behind the fact that he's a member of government and he's bound by the party line," said Ray.

"We have been getting hold of as many MPs as we can trying to get them to stand on the pledge they have signed."

"He has to vote with government, but I did say that as a member of government, he can influence issues behind closed doors.

"The latest figures being suggested conflict with the government's own manifesto to opay fair and independent compensation."

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The Queen's Speech boosted the hopes of Ray and other members in May when the coalition govnerment announced a bill giving the Treasury power to make "fair and transparent" compensation payments.

But Ray now fears the government will skimp on their payout and rely on a report by retired judge Sir John Chadwick, which Ray says, "was rubbished by the Parliamentary Ombudsman."

The final figure is expected to be announced along with the spending review on October 20.

Greg Barker MP did not respond to attempts to reach him for comment.

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