The government's performance on issues regarding pensioners in recent years has been condemned by a poll of elderly voters.

A Nationwide Age Referendum, carried out by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has evaluated the opinions of the UK's elderly since February and published its results yesterday.

The largest survey of its kind ever to take place in the UK, the NPC's research has found that 98 per cent of pensioners are calling on the government to act on such issues as pensions, council tax and long-term care.

It was published in advance of the 15th annual Pensioners' Parliament, taking place in Blackpool.

The parliament's opening session closed with the signing of a statement demanding the government raise the basic state pension to at least £119 per week, that free travel on public transport be introduced and provisions be made for good quality, free, long-term social care.

Joe Harris, NPC general secretary, said: "The government and other political parties need to realise that pensioners may well hold the key to who wins the next general election -especially as they are more likely to turn-out and vote than any other section of the electorate.

"Today we will warn them that in future pensioners will only vote for those candidates who promise to improve life for Britain's 11 million older people."

In recent weeks the NPC criticised the 2007 budget, saying that it failed to address concerns regarding pensions, council tax and fuel costs.