MORE than 50 pensioners grilled Southampton's MPs during a special question time.

Pensions were the hot topic as Labour backbenchers John Denham and Alan Whitehead were repeatedly put under the spotlight about government policy and promises.

The meeting, organised by Southampton Pensioners' Forum, was part of a nationwide plan to notch up the pressure on decision-makers and make them take notice of the so-called "grey vote".

Last week, about 25 over-60s from Hampshire travelled by coach to Westminster to join a massive grey power protest and lobby the south's MPs.

Fending off criticism of Labour's state pensions yesterday, former pensions minister Mr Denham said: "Just please accept that it isn't as simple as saying there's somebody out there who we can persuade to pay for pensions.

"It's not a simple Get Out of Jail Free card to say we will find somebody else to tax."

He told the meeting that, in his view, government spending on state pensions would soar over the coming years.

"That's not a promise, that's my personal view," he said.

The Southampton Itchen MP also defended the government's plan to scrap pension books in favour of direct-to-bank payments.

"The system was being run for a smaller and smaller number of pensioners. The government was probably right to bite the bullet and make a change," he added.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead was quizzed about health.

Part of the freshly drawn up Pensioners' Manifesto calls for free annual health checks for older people, including dentistry, eye checks and cancer screening.

Mr Whitehead said: "The proper function of a health service should be a health service - not a sickness service.

"I personally strongly support this proposal and think it should be part of the future as far as the health service is concerned."

He added that more government money going directly to primary care trusts over the next four years should help create an NHS more focussed on prevention, not cure.

WHAT DOES THE PENSIONERS' MANIFESTO CALL FOR?

Drawn up by the National Pensioners' Convention following huge consultation over the summer, the manifesto makes proposals about pensions, health, transport, community issues and "active citizenship".

They include:

The basic state pension should be raised to the level of the guarantee credit of £105.45 a week and be paid in full to all pensioners.

The basic state pension should rise every year in line with average earnings.

There should be a winter fuel allowance of £300 per pensioner household, to rise annually in line with fuel costs.

All pensioners should be provided with a comprehensive free annual health-check.

Home care services and home adaptations should be provided to help older people remain independent for as long as possible.

All long-term care and accommodation should be provided free, regardless of the setting.

Carers' allowance should be paid in addition to any state pension.

All pensioners and disabled people should travel on all buses, coaches, ferries, trams, tubes and trains free of charge.

Council tax should be abolished and replaced with a fairer system.