Nearly half a million carers in their 80s

An "invaluable but invisible army" of carers in their 80s has increased by almost 40 per cent in the last seven years, new figures published by Age UK reveal. Around 417,000 octogenarians - one in seven - now look after a loved one saving the health and care system almost £6 billion every year. With a greying population that figure set to almost double to 760,000 by the end of the next decade.

The majority of these older people are looking after a partner as older couples try to manage living at home for as long as possible, leaning on each other for support. This all reinforces the need for fully-funded state provision of care.

Further reading here.

News updates - from the web

ARMS Mersey Group secretary Steve Ion's regular round-up of relevant news items.

Updates on health research on Alzheimers: new brain scan technique can spot Alzheimer’s 15 years before symptoms appear - here.

Older pensioners continue in poverty: evidence destroys wealthy pensioner myth - here.

Welsh strikers in Liverpool

Welsh strikers with ARMS Merseyside
committee member, Tony Mulhearn

I visited the striking Museum workers from Wales at the Albert Dock gates who are in their third week of strike action. PCS Rep Elfyn Jones-Roberts told me that they had been taking other forms of action for the last two and a half years to force the Welsh Assembly to withdraw their bullying attacks on basic rights. Among other attacks they have targeted front of house staff with cuts in premium payment for weekend working as well as drastic cuts in manning levels.

Director David Anderson has adopted a truculent 'take or leave it' stance. The workers were outraged by this and voted for all out action in the face of this provocation. Elfyn said they have visited PCS sites around the city and received a tremendous response. The strikers are determined to stay out until they are victorious.

Tony Mulhearn

ARMS National Forum in Liverpool - observers welcome

The 2016 ARMS national forum will be held on 21 June 2016 in the PCS office in Liverpool. Every ARMS region is entitled to representation at the event which will discuss motions submitted by ARMS regional committees. We hope to welcome to the forum National President Janice Godrich.

ARMS members can attend as observers. However, early notice of attendance is required to ensure that all who may wish to attend can be accommodated. Applications for observer status must be sent to the ARMS national secretary via ARMS regional secretaries.

The ARMS North West regional secretary is Phil Green. If you wish to observe the forum, e-mail him by Friday 20 May on p.c.green@ukgateway.net

News updates - from the web

More news items from the internet, compiled by ARMS Mersey Group secretary, Steve Ion.

Better housing can help tackle the crisis of loneliness in older people - here.

The elderly are at risk of losing £140 energy rebate if they switch supplier - here.

A report into end of life care finds the dying elderly being forced into to hospital against their will - here.

News updates - from the web

ARMS Mersey Group secretary Steve Ion's regular round-up of relevant news items.

EU Referendum over 60's vote - here.

And you thought you were safe with your "gold-plated" civil service pension. No money in the pot for public sector pensions, but how about the trillions swimming round in off shore accounts - here.

The 'if only' of care costs - here.

Good news on a potential cure for Alzheimer's. This is where the money should be spent on medical research and improving basic living standards for people, not sitting idle in an off-shore account - here.

Health care: how to improve it - here.

90th Anniversary of the General Strike

Ninety years ago today, millions of workers were taking part in the General Strike to defend the miners from a brutal Tory government. PCS National Vice-President John McInally celebrates the 1926 General Strike and declares that leadership now as then is critical. In 1926, the Daily Mail accurately described the general strike as a "revolutionary move" but with the purpose of frightening the Labour Party and union leaders, which it did.

Jeremy Hunt’s imposition of unacceptable contracts on junior doctors is a key stage in privatising our National Health Service. The PCS along with the Fire Brigades Union called on the TUC general council to call a day of action in support of the junior doctors. The TUC must, as a matter of priority, reconsider their decision not to support this call.

"The real lesson of the general strike," John concluded, "is not that we can’t win but with determined leadership, workers can secure priceless victories."

Tony Mulhearn

ARMS North West banner

Our brand new ARMS NW banner on its first ever outing 

on the May Day march and rally in Liverpool.

Click on the picture to enlarge it.