will OAP's loosing out??

Yes, foreign aid indeed Ngaiol. This is where charity begins at home whoever's in charge of the economy.

I expect you're right EV; there possibly are people here who are comfortably off, but I'm equally sure that there are many others who are living on basic SRP with no private pension to top that up to an adequate income to live on. By your own admission, you've been very fortunate financially but you don't appear to be able recognise that many others have not been as fortunate as you. The loss of the annual winter fuel allowance will have a very significant impact on them and your willingness to throw them under the bus probably won't receive a rapturous reception.

Not all have pensions other than state one. Rather selfish to imply everyone does. The borrowing done to fund WW11 was on the basis it would take at least a lifetime for the government to pay off. Same with Councils for their house building- 120 year loans. When Margaret Thatcher authorised sale of housing stock with discounts Councils still had huge amounts to pay off in outstanding loans. Probably still paying them off now. Of course belts will be tightened and older people will not be exempted.

We weren't aware of the fund set up by age UK Franbern and will definitely look into it.

We're fortunate that we don't need the winter fuel allowance, and Mr. S. being eligible for the first time, would rather it went to those who need it.

As you say Chewbacca if this is stopped, the impact on some will be significant indeed. Surely there must be a way for the Government to give it to those in need!!

The millions that has been given out will have to be recovered from somewhere and I think we pensioners will end up being penalised more than most.

Seefah how does someone with £3,000 a month get a Council Tax rebate? They are all means tested.
Pension credit is also means tested. The sad thing is that many pensioners who are eligible for it do not claim. Many probably don’t know about it. Others are put off by the long application form, don’t know how to apply, or think that they aren’t eligible.
I was one of the latter, as my son lives with me. A friend persuaded me to apply, and I was surprised to be granted an extra £24 a week. This also means that I get free dental treatment and help with buying glasses.
The government saves a fortune in unclaimed PensionCredit each year, according to Age U.K., so encourage any of your needy friends to fill in the form. They will also be saving a fortune by not paying the pensions of all those poor pensioners who have died of the virus because of government mess-ups.
Having said that, it would be much better if our basic pensions were more in line with other countries, and we didn’t have to beg for extra.

The reason the government did not want to go down the means testing procedure was because it costs more to do that. These so called perks, am I wrong in thinking they were given instead of raising the pension to a liveable amount. Some people on here unfortunately have a large chunk taken for rent. I am fortunate to have been able to pay mine off early. I am not of the age yet where I receive a state pension and seeing the forecast I cannot believe how people manage!

The £10 Christmas bonus has never risen in line with inflation, it won't even buy a decent bottle of wine now, but surely the greatest insult to OAPs is the extra 25 pence given to anyone over the age of 80. Any ideas on what could be bought with this?

Chewbacca, on the contrary my willingness would be to providing others who'll be a darn sight less well off and only too glad to receive a bit extra at Christmas----those with families for instance ?

There was a " sort of " survey done here a few months back re. the £10 in December and most had posted that it wouldn't be missed.

Apart from the usual bills, my own feelings are that coming up to 80----give others a chance, but that's me

They were talking on the radio yesterday about a figure fiddling which the Bank of England are thinking of which involves banks paying you interest when you borrow money and charging you to save. Somehow it could negate government borrowing. The explanation lost me very quickly!

I can't wait, JaneRn.

I might be like my mum was when she received 8p many years ago and wrote a stiff letter saying " keep it ".

inews.co.uk/news/state-pension-married-women-short-changed-pensions-minister-warning-2862936?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=ijp&fbclid=IwAR1g1ccA-1Zy2zSOtOoHe8cECZNQExzxt2qiOw6rOT4lcwvUHBgjxpPFeOI

Does anyone think that funeral directors will be lenient given the amount of sad deaths ?? Charges etc. All these deaths would have been unexpected and many wouldn't have thought or have been prepared for such a time.
What happens if there are no finances in place ?

This is turning into the EllanVannin boastathon.

Sorry about that @travelsafar

Well I've been fleeced for a start reading that Seadragon. Born before 1953, no letter ever received about late husbands employment payment.
They've done well out of me then ! Shortchanged indeed.

How sad you are Esspee ( rolls eyes ) something hit a nerve did it ?

EllenVanin you really are so far up yourself you are unbelievable. Sorry I do not usually talk to people anywhere like that but you have made me really angry with all your posts today! I was Medically retired 25+ years ago after an accident. Broke my heart having to give up the job I had trained for & thought myself very lucky to be doing a job I loved! Unfortunately I did not have a private pension as I had to have the 'lump sum' to keep our heads above water at the time! Life was very hard but by scrimping & saving we got by. I now live alone & am very far from being well off as you think all OAPs are. You sound just like the so-called Millenials who think that all Pensioners are well off, that we never had to wotk for anything. List of what we are accused of goes on! So for you to come on here taking their side against all older people who like me do struggle sometimes(a lot) makes me very angry. Please just go away & enjoy your money & lifestyle while you can. I will just carry on through Lockdown wanting to see my family but being unable to & knowing that all your money, if I had it, would not make up for this or all the other hard things we will have to go through if this does ever end!

I have a small state pension and an even smaller work ( NHS ) pension . I could not live on them if I had to live on my own , I live on them because I am in a granny flat at my Daughters house , I pay tax so it seems I am not on the breadline .
I could do without the heating allowance , I do know that people died of cold in the days before it was introduced , is that not why it was brought in ?

Your name is well suited SillyNanny321 ! How dare you judge !
Go away yourself.

Aggie I'm being lambasted for having two pensions ?
However, it's refreshing to see that you too could do without your heating allowance.

That takes the heat ( pun ) off me for a short while.Phew !

EllanVannin boastathon.

Yes, quite possibly so. The alternative is that there is actually no recognition, understanding or empathy for others who do not share her extremely fortunately affluent lifestyle. And that would be even worse than being boastful.

EllanVannin just a thought, why carry on digging an ever growing big hole for yourself? Why not just give up.

Means testing is expensive, all the benefits should be taxed as a benefit in kind.

The worse thing for me would be to lose my bus pass.A lot of us like to get out and about,it keeps our minds and bodies active.I couldn't afford to go to the places I go to on a state pension if I had to pay on the bus..The free tv licence is important to a lot of people,however you don't have to find the money all at once,I pay mine at £6 a fortnight.I don't agree with people saying they would have to do without a tv,I'm sure they can afford £3 a week,and they had to pay before they were 75.One short bus trip into town costs more than £3.

I have an idea ! 100% death duties , to go direct to reducing the government debt . Most of the time the people who inherit would manage without the windfall , although i am aware there would be exceptions . The debt would be wiped out in no time if included Trusts ( many wealthy people pay no inheritance tax as a Trust doesn,t die !) Just an idea