The Survey - perhaps Cari could ...

You could almost think that the government is trying to soften us up ready to accept cuts in the universal benefits, and using Gransnet to do it. Surely not?!

Is Gransnet an unbiased, non-political, company?

I wonder also if Gransnet HQ people have any links with editors of some newspapers.

riverwalk I didn't look at this survey.
Just to clarify, do you mean that it should say that "24% of those GNrs who responded?" That would make more sense of the 1000 or so respondents.

Nellie yes, that's exactly what I mean.

This is the survey infographic:

Survey

None of the pensioners of my acquaintance have an income of nearly £60,000!

Nor mine Ana!

When was this survey, I didn't see it? Admittedly I don't come on every day but I would have expected something like this to run for a couple of weeks.

Would love to know the exact number of people signed up to Gransnet. Just out of interest.

But Cari in the graphic you twice use the words users rather than respondents, thus giving the impression that many more people are aupportive of means-testing.

The vast majority of GN members did not respond, so the percentage is in fact very low, but the press have picked up on the apparent fact that means-testing would be popular.

Which, as far as I can see, wouldn't be at all popular!

This goes to show how useless surveys are. Leave off the bits about £55k and respondents and you get a whole different meaning. Maybe it's better not to take part when our views can be misconstrued by the media.

Can Cari tell us the exact number (rather than a percentage) who agreed that means testing could be beneficial, and how many of those are actually yet in receipt of pensions or pensionable benefits?

I will think twice before taking part in some Gransnet surveys now. I have no problem with targeting benefits and allowances towards those pensioners who earn less than £55k+, but quantitative surveys don't allow you to say what you would prefer to do i.e. include WFA in taxation, and provide a tick box in tax assessments for WFA to be donated to charity.

Janet Street-Porter - come out of your hiding place and talk to Gransnet! She's made a few disparaging remarks in the last week, calling some older people 'crumblies' and us 'do-gooders!' All references to people in the same age bracket as her

Katgransnet recently said that GN had "tens of thousands of members" so that makes at least 20,000.

Based on this figure, just 1.2% of GN members think there should be an 'affluence test' on the basic state pension.

Anyone's free to correct my sums

Pentillie 24% of 1002 would be 240 people (1002 participants).

Yes, and how many of those are pensioners, who know how easy ,or difficult, it is to manage on a pension and any other benefits?

Very good discussion going on.

From the infographic, it only shows those already in receipt of the winter fuel allowance, not pension.

Probably another badly-designed questionnaire in the first place - certainly badly-presented by GN.

But everyone had the chance to take part in the survey. So if you couldn't be bothered then ..... If you're not part of the solution then you're part if the problem.
Yeh, know that sounds a bit harsh but only saying

Aka there's neither a solution or a problem in taking part, or not, in a survey

My issue with the survey is with the presentation of the figures.

I agree with you River about the representation of the figures. But do you think the percentage would be different if the majority of GNetters has taken part?