Winter Fuel Allowance decision is a massive own goal

[LessoftheLip]

BBC News - Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners - BBC News

Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners

Some pensioners say they don't need the extra cash of up to £300 - and want better means testing.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

I can’t agree with that answer it’s like saying everybody should get child allowance whether they have eligible children or not in case some needy households miss out.

No it isn't. It's like saying everybody with children should get child allowance.

 

[festa5]

Are you sure about that?

I don't think he's talking about left wing leaning people.

He's referring to the "good old Boris is trying his best" types.

 

[HolgateCorner]

No it isn't. It's like saying everybody with children should get child allowance.

Maybe not the best comparison but do you honestly think millions of wealthy pensioners should get a couple of hundred quid towards their fuel bills when the rest of our Tory decimated society is in disarray?

 

[Trug]

It's apparently cheaper to give all pensioners the allowance than to means test. BBC reported this morning that 780,000 people will miss out as they will not apply. I mentioned in an earlier post that many people would not apply because of pride, fear of humiliation, or just unable to navigate to benefits system. I know from my experience of the benefits system I would never apply for anything again.

 

[red_harrington]

It's apparently cheaper to give all pensioners the allowance than to means test.

It costs £1.5bn to means test?

 

[LessoftheLip]

It's apparently cheaper to give all pensioners the allowance than to means test. BBC reported this morning that 780,000 people will miss out as they will not apply. I mentioned in an earlier post that many people would not apply because of pride, fear of humiliation, or just unable to navigate to benefits system. I know from my experience of the benefits system I would never apply for anything again.

But your experience, regrettable as it was, is not the same for all benefits claimants. The Government knows who is in receipt of the state pension. They can easily contact the pensioners to advise them how to claim the WFA.

 

[sherlock]

I can’t agree with that answer it’s like saying everybody should get child allowance whether they have eligible children or not in case some needy households miss out.

It’s absolutely nothing like that though.

 

[Norfolkred1]

Labour and Union drifting apart:

Unite accuses Labour of 'cruelty' over winter fuel payment cuts

The trade union looks set to submit a motion - seen by Sky News - at Labour's party conference later this month which says: "We need a vision where pensioners are not the first to face a new wave of cuts."

news.sky.com

 

[Lottowyn]

A callous and morally wrong decision. Starmer will in time regret this move.

 

[Acklam_Lad]

How many of them are well off?

The disgrace is that those struggling financially just outside of benefit qualification will suffer, disability or not.

Absolutely. That was meaningless soundbite - disability doesn't mean poor

The 1.7 million mentioned are those in receipt of a disability payment of some description so those just above the breadline as you describe.


The type of person that is usually sat at home all day that needs the heating on in a cold spell.

So as I said… a disgrace

 

[LessoftheLip]

Labour and Union drifting apart:

Unite accuses Labour of 'cruelty' over winter fuel payment cuts

The trade union looks set to submit a motion - seen by Sky News - at Labour's party conference later this month which says: "We need a vision where pensioners are not the first to face a new wave of cuts."

news.sky.com

That's hardly breaking news. Even in opposition the Unite Union refused to endorse Labour's GE manifesto.
Sharon Graham is one of those union leaders who thinks it's all about her. An awful woman.

 

[Acklam_Lad]

Labour and Union drifting apart:

Unite accuses Labour of 'cruelty' over winter fuel payment cuts

The trade union looks set to submit a motion - seen by Sky News - at Labour's party conference later this month which says: "We need a vision where pensioners are not the first to face a new wave of cuts."

news.sky.com

This will not go away. It’s going to stink out his premiership until it’s reversed and rightly so

 

[Norfolkred1]

He shot from the hip on this one . Could have started means testing next year well in time for next winter. As long as MP's get their allowances the rest can suffer.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

BBC News - Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners - BBC News

Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners

Some pensioners say they don't need the extra cash of up to £300 - and want better means testing.

www.bbc.co.uk

We all know that. There are wealthy pensioners. There are also thousands that are going to struggle with the 10% hike approved by Ofgem and the loss of the fuel allowance.

Are you happy to see those pensioners struggle, and if not what alternative might you put forward at your next Labour party meeting?

 

[LessoftheLip]

We all know that. There are wealthy pensioners. There are also thousands that are going to struggle with the 10% hike approved by Ofgem and the loss of the fuel allowance.

Are you happy to see those pensioners struggle, and if not what alternative might you put forward at your next Labour party meeting?

I posted an article without comment. Suddenly you're asking me if I'm happy to see people struggle. Look for my answer further up the thread.

 

[Quicksilvera]

BBC News - Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners - BBC News

Winter fuel payment: We spend it on holidays, say some pensioners

Some pensioners say they don't need the extra cash of up to £300 - and want better means testing.

www.bbc.co.uk

That's hardly breaking news. Even in opposition the Unite Union refused to endorse Labour's GE manifesto.
Sharon Graham is one of those union leaders who thinks it's all about her. An awful woman.

You’re desperate to defend the indefensible here, taking away the WFA will lead to deaths.

That should be the only reason for not stopping it.

 

[LessoftheLip]

You’re desperate to defend the indefensible here, taking away the WFA will lead to deaths.

That should be the only reason for not stopping it.

The principle of means testing is correct.
Implementation and communication has been botched.
I've already said that much earlier in the thread.

 

[JackG]

It's apparently cheaper to give all pensioners the allowance than to means test. BBC reported this morning that 780,000 people will miss out as they will not apply. I mentioned in an earlier post that many people would not apply because of pride, fear of humiliation, or just unable to navigate to benefits system. I know from my experience of the benefits system I would never apply for anything again.

There are currently 850,000 eligible pensioners underclaiming pension credit. Many of them are either unable to navigate the benefits system or unwilling to claim due to a perhaps inappropriate sense of dignity or shame. A reasonable compromise would be to remove higher-rate taxpayer pensioners from WFA. This can be administered via the current income tax system at a low cost yet is more appropriately focussed than a universal system.

 

[Norfolkred1]