Charles Kennedy has set out Liberal Democrat plans to tackle pensioner poverty, saying it is the most comprehensive package of any major party.

At the launch of a 'mini-manifesto' on Thursday, the party leader said the policies were aimed at lifting the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty and ending unfairness in the system by bridging the gap between men and women.

"It is inexcusable that two million pensioners today live below the government's own poverty line," Kennedy said.

"And it is, quite simply, a scandal that many women pensioners are not entitled to a full basic state pension in their own right."

The Lib Dem leader has called for a new "citizen's pension" to be introduced, based on residency rather than national insurance contributions.

He argued this would address the problem of lower pensions for women who take time out from employment to raise a family or care for elderly relatives.

The pension would be paid at the level of the guaranteed part of the pension credit, which from April 2005 is £109.45 per week for single pensioners and £167.05 per week for couples.

The party also aims to raise it in line with average earnings.

While it would initially apply only to those over 75, it could eventually be extended to all pensioners.

Poorer pensioners will also pay less under the proposals to scrap the council tax and replace it with a local income tax system.

Age discrimination legislation would be immediately enforced and arbitrary retirement ages would be scrapped.

And free long term care for the elderly to meet both personal and clinical needs is a major part of the Lib Dem package.

Spending

Comparing spending on the three major policies for the elderly with Tory commitments, the Lib Dems
say they will spend a total of £6.65bn more than Labour on free personal care, pensions and council tax reform against the Conservative total of £2.26bn.

Kennedy said: "It's time that Britain's pensioners were treated with the respect they deserve by politicians. Our carefully costed package is worth nearly £7 billion a year over and above what Labour is currently offering to pensioners - and over £4 billion more than the Conservatives.

"Our promise, at this election, will be to add over £100 extra a month for a single pensioner over 75 and over £140 extra a month for a pensioner couple. That will make a real difference. 

"Our plans to scrap council tax will benefit eight million pensioners, with six million paying no local tax at all. 

"This mini-manifesto is designed to ensure both dignity and security in retirement.

"Our message to older citizens is that we understand our debt to you. It's time for a real alternative for older people. The Liberal Democrats are the real alternative."

Choice

Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman, added: "The choice couldn't be clearer.

"Liberal Democrat policies will lift the most vulnerable pensioners out of poverty; end the iniquitous discrimination against women and offer dignity to all those in need of personal care.

"Labour is the party of mass-means testing and the Tories have tacked women onto their plans as an afterthought with no plans to close the disgraceful gap between men and women.

"Our plans for a citizen's pension, based on residency and not contributions, will dramatically cut means-testing, will be fairer for women and are gaining favour in all quarters."