War pensioners 'experiencing Austerity Britain once more'
Many of Britain's World War Two heroes are facing a return to rationing conditions, the Royal British Legion has suggested.New research from the charity shows that one in three retired servicemen do not currently enjoy a large enough income to maintain their health.In order to improve the situation, the Legion has issued a series of recommendations, including improving council tax benefits.Scrapping the means test for disability allowance, which for many pensioners stems from injuries picked up in the war, was also advised.The Legion's research comes in the wake of an interview from the chancellor of the exchequer, Alistair Darling, in which he suggested that Britain was enduring its leanest economic times since the war.Chris Simpkins, director general of the Legion, said: "We all thought rationing was history. But we were wrong. Even the chancellor says we're facing the worst economic climate in 60 years and this has a crushing impact on older people. "The government must give them the help they deserve - making it easier for them to access their entitlements and giving them a level of income to ensure their basic needs are met."
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