Sarah Teather Launches Women's Survey

6.08.49pm GMT Wed 16th Feb 2005

Sarah Teather MP and Dr Vincent Cable MP launching Sarah's Women's Survey

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has today launched the most comprehensive survey ever conducted into women's issues in Brent East. The Brent East MP is writing to over 20,000 local women asking them about their experiences of the local health service and pension provision. Accompanying the survey is a briefing note giving information regarding cancer screening and pension provision.

Dr Vincent Cable, the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham who is leading the Lib Dem campaign for improvements to NHS provision of breast cancer joined Sarah Teather at the launch of the survey. Pensions are a highly topical issue for women, as on average they live longer than men and generally have poorer pension provision. Large numbers of women have lost most of their pension because of reduced rate contributions. In Brent East it is estimated that 1,600 households are missing out on the Pension Credit.

At the launch of the Women's Survey Sarah Teather MP said:

"Too often politicians think they know what is best. I believe this survey will provide valuable data as to the views of women in the area. It will provide me with statistics that I can use in Parliament to fight for a better deal for our area.

"These issues are very important for women locally. Whilst cervical cancer screening through the smear test has saved many lives; there are still many women with the disease - as many as 1 in 5 who have cervical cancer are not picked up by the test. Improved technology has lead to the creation of a more accurate test however the introduction of this test has been too slow.

"It is clear that pension provision is a big issue in Brent East with as many as 1,600 households estimated to be missing out on the pension credit. Women in particular suffer from poor pension provision, due to reduced rate contributions. That is why the Liberal Democrats are proposing a Citizen's Pension that would give more money to older pensioners, who are often the poorest. The Liberal Democrats would give an extra £105.45 a month for a single pension and £160.95 for a couple."

The survey is also available for download from www.sarahteather.org.uk