Petition to save the winter fuel payment

Wyllow3

Farzanah

keepingquiet

I won't be signing. We should all be on a pension that means we don't have to have 'extra' payments.

I agree about a higher pension so that people don’t have to jump through multiple hoops to have it topped up. It’s stigmatising.
However I have signed the Age Concern petition for those who will suffer the cold this winter, being unable to afford their heating bills.

Have you a link to this, I'd like to see if it goes down the road of dropping the changes or modifying them, the latter, my preferred option.

I've found the link for the Age Concern petition.
It will take you to age uk website. I hope this works.

age+concern+petition+winter+fuel+allowance=Age+Concern+petition+winter gs

you'll see this
Help us save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners
The Government has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested in England and Wales. As many as 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it. Sign our petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment for the poorest pensioners.

Join the campaign.

you can then sign

That link's not working but try this one. If no Google it.

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/winter-fuel-payment/

Yes that one's working click on Join the campaign on the right in the navy blue script to sign if you wish thank you.

I have signed the age UK petition.

winterwhite

GG13 re deferment of WFA to age 80. I think you exaggerate! Most people in their late ‘60s and 70s are more active and mobile than they are in their 80s, many will still be able to work. Doing without the WFA will be hard, but less hard than doing without it in their 80s and 90s. There are always people on just the wrong side of the cut-off point under any scheme. I don’t know what can help that, but jettisoning the whole scheme is rarely the answer.

That's why I think it should be incorporated into a higher taxable pension. If taxes work properly (and, yes, I know they don't always), they should be progressive and there isn't a sudden "cliff edge". People below the threshold would keep all their WFA and people above would lose 20p for every extra pound. At some point (I haven't worked it out) higher earners would have it all taxed. I guess the problem would then be that people would complain about paying taxes on their pensions (sigh).

Thank you. It's a little more qualified in its approach asking for consideration tho it doesn't give a "change the qualifying level choice", but it does remind site users to apply for pension credit, apparently 800.000 people qualify but aren't claiming it. It does feel, coming from Age Concern, in its wording, more to the point however.

keepingquiet

I won't be signing. We should all be on a pension that means we don't have to have 'extra' payments.

Absolutely right, keepingquiet. I have heard ours is the lowest pension in Europe.

It's always those in the middle bracket who get hit with these measures.

The low-waged, and those on benefits are covered and the wealthy unaffected, but those who are neither - the just about managing as Theresa May called them - are the ones who suffer, some considerably so.

As some have pointed out - if you are just above the cut-off point for pension credit, then losing that allowance could hurt a lot.

I don't know quite what Reeves is planning - but she could have at least delayed the removal of the WFA until next year which would allow those affected the opportunity to maybe put some money by to cushion the effect. If pensioners have already budgeted for that money, it's going to be very hard for some if it comes into immediate effect.

Why is it that those who are responsible for the big economic holes in public finances are never the ones to pay for them? It's an austerity measure, and there will be more to come and, as usual, those with the least will shoulder the biggest burden.

As MaizieD says, investment comes via consumer spending - if Reeves has more austerity measures in the pipeline then people will tighten their belts - again - and just how will that effect the economy, which Labour insists they want to grow?

No, I am one of those who can well do without it.

M0nica

No, I am one of those who can well do without it.

So what about signing it to help others who aren't as fortunate as you ?

Signed

Even if you are not entitled to the payment, you could all sign & support those who can't claim it & if you are so well off please make a small donation- won’t break the bank. Mark my words it will be your bus passes next!

Dickens

It's always those in the middle bracket who get hit with these measures.

The low-waged, and those on benefits are covered and the wealthy unaffected, but those who are neither - the just about managing as Theresa May called them - are the ones who suffer, some considerably so.

As some have pointed out - if you are just above the cut-off point for pension credit, then losing that allowance could hurt a lot.

I don't know quite what Reeves is planning - but she could have at least delayed the removal of the WFA until next year which would allow those affected the opportunity to maybe put some money by to cushion the effect. If pensioners have already budgeted for that money, it's going to be very hard for some if it comes into immediate effect.

Why is it that those who are responsible for the big economic holes in public finances are never the ones to pay for them? It's an austerity measure, and there will be more to come and, as usual, those with the least will shoulder the biggest burden.

As MaizieD says, investment comes via consumer spending - if Reeves has more austerity measures in the pipeline then people will tighten their belts - again - and just how will that effect the economy, which Labour insists they want to grow?

Not everyone on benefits is entitled to free meds, dentist, eye checks BTW

Sign it & support your fellow pensioners who aren’t just well off as you

winterwhite

Not signed. I think better to have this and other age-related payments kick in at age 80.

What when we are nearly 6ft under! Don’t be daft

Signed & donated to help the cause

Mt61

Sign it & support your fellow pensioners who aren’t just well off as you

That isn't what you're asked to sign. You're asked to sign for the decision to be reversed.
To sign it means you agree all should get the WFP, which l do not believe is right, most pensioners don't need it.

Many thanks to all for your comments and those who signed/donated.
If anyone would like to sign on the ageuk link it is on page 3 here. More info on there.
You are able to share on facebook if you wish. You can tick boxes for updates and for your name to remain anonymous.
I've signed on both. Donated on one.
Lets do what we can for those who depend on this winter payment.

Really sorry for those pensioners and there are millions and millions who are just scraping by slightly above the threshold for the pension credit. The pension credit is such a low bar.
I think it’s very likely there will be people dying because of this because they will have to make a choice between food and fuel.
There is no opposition in Parliament that can stop this dictatorial labour government. we’re going to find that we are no longer in a democracy now they will change everything to keep themselves in power. The next thing that will happen will be that prescription charges will be coming back for everybody who is not on benefits.

she could have at least delayed the removal of the WFA until next year which would allow those affected the opportunity to maybe put some money by to cushion the effect. If pensioners have already budgeted for that money, it's going to be very hard for some if it comes into immediate effect

This>

biglouis

*she could have at least delayed the removal of the WFA until next year which would allow those affected the opportunity to maybe put some money by to cushion the effect. If pensioners have already budgeted for that money, it's going to be very hard for some if it comes into immediate effect*

This>

Excellent post.

Quite possibly just one month to prepare. Labour party do not care for pensioners, not at all

Signed and shared.

If anyone would prefer to sign the age uk petition I've added the link

www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-the-winter-fuel-payment/

If I was i this position I would pay for heating and withold council tax which is not value for money for childfree single people. If they send you to prison at least its warm there.

Signed both petitions on all 3 devices using different email addresses. Ive got 20 email addresses so I will do some more tomorrow.