Emma Wakefield The Politics Show South East

click here to view the Politics Show South East

State pension age to rise to 68

After the publication of the Turner Report we ask a range of people from the region what provision they will make for a pension and how they feel about working until they are 65 or 67.

The Actuaries Society predicts that investing in older workers will be a major new priority.

Given that nearly a quarter of the East Sussex population is of pensionable age how will this affect the working population?

We spend some time with a worker who is still employed at 65 plus.

The Met Office has warned of the coldest winter in a decade

The big freeze

Meteorologists predict that we are facing the coldest winter since 1963.

Britain has one of the highest rates of winter deaths in Europe. (Source: Age Concern)

Gas prices are up by 14.2% putting an average �96 on the annual household bill.

Age Concern has predicted that: "33 pensioners in the South East will die of a cold related illness every day this winter".

... And it is estimated that more than 3,500 older people in the area will die as a result of the cold.

In the last five years, more than 17, 000 people over 65 in the South East have died as a result of the winter months in Britain.

Whilst pensioners get some help with fuel payments, there are other, equally vulnerable members of society who get no help at all.

People living in temporary accommodation and on benefits have also been identified as those likely to suffer this winter.

Currently, there are 12,250 homeless households trapped in temporary accommodation in the south east.

So what will happen to them if the big freeze sets in? Why should anyone be suffering in 2005?

Next week's programme

The Politics Show on 11 December 2005 is the last programme before Christmas, and we will be putting your questions to a panel of local MPs.

Is there a burning issue you want discussed?

Do you need an answer to a political question?

And what are the key questions for you?

We would like to put your questions to the panel.

We will be filming local people form the region asking their questions next week.

If you would like to take part, please get in touch with us via this e-mail address - [email protected]

Or you could call us on 01273 648380

We look forward to hearing from you.

Your views

We would like to hear your comments. What do you think about the issues we are covering?

Paul Siegert

If you have got something to say, please e-mail or text us as the programme goes out.

And if have any thoughts about issues we should be looking at in the future we would love to hear from you.

Please e-mail us using the form below.

The Politics Show South East

The Politics Show South East is live from Eastbourne.

Join Paul Siegert on the Politics Show on Sunday 11 December 2005 at Noon on BBC One.

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.