Winter fuel allowance result

I have never reported any posts apart from spam but BigBopper could change that with some of the nonsense being spouted.

The Community Charge (aka poll tax) tried to address that 'unfairness'. Remember the riots and hatred directed at Margaret Thatcher at the time?
The LibDems considered local income taxes instead of property taxes but they rapidly abandoned that idea which would have been fairer.

Cossy

Desdemona

I expect the MP's who voted yes will have a nice meal later in one of the subsidised Commons restaurants and a few drinks in the subsidised bar. Then home to their 2nd house where the heating is paid for by taxpayers.

As will/could all of the MPs irrespective of their vote!

That's just what I said to my DH.

Honestly, that's the best attitude to have.
They won't go bust if someone can't pay, or can only make tiny payments.

Sod them, let them wait.

Just make sure you pay enough to keep afloat.

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COSSY STATED........However, most pensioners WILL manage, they will do what our mothers and grandmothers did, put on a cardigan, or use a blanket when sitting on the sofa.

Rubbish

What you don't seem to realise is that without heating in your home your house will deteriorate, damp, mould and frozen pipes. This will then need building work to put things right.

Then bronchitis, pneumonia more hospital visits, more NHS expense.

I will be putting my heating on whether I can afford it or not and if I fall behind with bills, then they can lock me up and I can have a nice warm prison cell, three meals a day and someone to wash my clothes. I am nearly 82 years of age and think sod them all.

And the extra pension will not arrive in the accounts of so many pensioners.

I would like to see MPs voting to reduce their own perks. Not basics, perks.

I would hope that energy companies will bend over backwards to support elderly and vulnerable customers.

I know councils are cash-strapped, but they do have access to government hardship funds. I hope a scheme will be rolled out to support elderly residents. It would be easy to start with those who receive Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, but that won’t help all who need it.
Some creative thinking is needed, urgently.

Religious education should teach about all religions.

It's the only way we will get to the point of having some inclusiveness, and it does no harm to learn the basics from a young age.

Grantanow

I'm not happy at this result because I think Reeves could fill the hole left by the Tories by implementing taxes on wealth. The claim that pensioners are getting rises to offset the loss of WFA is untrue: they face other inflationary costs like food and transport.

I think we would be better off if Reeves lived in another country. Whoever voted for this lot should hang their heads in shame. I voted Reform, perhaps Farage is not to everyones taste but he wants to stop immigration and sort the country out.

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The pensioners on the old style state pension will be much worse off than the pensioners on the new style state pension. £169 per week for the old style state pension and £220 per week for the new style state pension that is £51 per week less a week for old style pension. So we have lost the winter fuel allowance and are also £51 per week poorer than the new style pensioners.

What goes around comes around Starmer and your cronies. I hope I am still alive to see it.

However, most pensioners WILL manage, they will do what our mothers and grandmothers did, put on a cardigan, or use a blanket when sitting on the sofa.

What a patronising comment. People in cold homes do that already, also people who do not wish to waste precious resources.

The mark of a caring government is how well the vulnerable in society are cared for. Two Tier not doing well so far. I too cannot believe that anyone voted for this vile Government.

I'm not happy at this result because I think Reeves could fill the hole left by the Tories by implementing taxes on wealth. The claim that pensioners are getting rises to offset the loss of WFA is untrue: they face other inflationary costs like food and transport.

rafichagran

Not unexpected. I think it's terrible, but I will manage. I am neither a poor or wealthy pensioner.

Agree with this. I voted Labour. Are we really saying that the Tories would be doing any better?

Ilovecheese

Cossy Yes, I am in favour of child benefit going back to being a universal benefit.
Dickens a very important point about air temperature.
In the 21st century did we really think we would be going back to the living conditions of our mothers and grandmothers time? In a country as rich as ours.

In the 21st century did we really think we would be going back to the living conditions of our mothers and grandmothers time? In a country as rich as ours.

The odd thing is that often, when pensioners 'look back', they are accused of nostalgia and reminded that 'things have changed' now we are living in the 21st century. Yet, if it suits the argument, they are actually encouraged to endure some of the hardships of that bygone age!

I'm also in favour of universal child benefit.

I'm even more in favour of not making this a battlefield for intergenerational war.

We need a government that is committed to investing in its workforce and protecting its elderly. It is possible within certain constraints, without 'bankrupting' the country. As I keep boringly saying, other countries manage it - along with Capitalism.

Not unexpected. I think it's terrible, but I will manage. I am neither a poor or wealthy pensioner.

Gummie

biglouis

Glad to see so many MPs abstained. Two Tier has lost a lot of face over this,

Those who abstained should have voted 'no', but too gutless to do so. More concerned about their own position than their constituents.

Starmer should hang his head in shame for this too, but no doubt he, his harem and his cronies will be very comfortable every winter. He and always planned this but kept it to himself before the election.

Vile government and no doubt even more horror will be inflicted on ordinary people before they are done.

Good post. Two tier Keir is showing his true colours now. Cannot for the life of me think why people voted for the LP.

Dickens Take your point completely and I too hope that ALL pensioners will cope.

I also agree with your comments re very short notice.

Cossy Yes, I am in favour of child benefit going back to being a universal benefit.
Dickens a very important point about air temperature.
In the 21st century did we really think we would be going back to the living conditions of our mothers and grandmothers time? In a country as rich as ours.

Cossy

I’m saddened by this and I daresay it’s lost the LP much support.

However, most pensioners WILL manage, they will do what our mothers and grandmothers did, put on a cardigan, or use a blanket when sitting on the sofa.

If anyone on GNs isn’t getting Pension Credits (or anyone they know isn’t) please make an application asap or get someone to help to you to do one.

Also check out your LA, councils have had their grant money extended to April 2925.

I really really hope that the LP don’t remove the single person discount.

However, most pensioners WILL manage, they will do what our mothers and grandmothers did, put on a cardigan, or use a blanket when sitting on the sofa.

I hope most pensioners will manage - those most affected have had little time to prepare, to make adjustments to their personal budgets, though.

Putting on a cardigan or using a blanket on the sofa does not alter the air-temperature - which is an important factor for those with heart problems and other medical conditions. A house that is not adequately heated is not a good environment for the elderly sick or disabled.

Spot on!

Biglouis, love that name, two tier 🤣🤣🤣

biglouis

I watched the debate. There were some very moving speeches by opponents. Its all very well arguing that the SP will go up by £400 next year (but only for those on the new pension) but that does not solve the problem for those pensioners have their own "black hole" this winter.

I foresee that if they axe the CT single person discount there will be riots.

I flippin' hope so - ie that there will be riots if they grab the single person CT discount as well. Goodness knows 75% is noticeably higher than the 50% each a couple has to pay as it is.

I think I detected a hint they might amend that to that they'd charge extra to people in Band D houses and above. Well - I quickly hauled up the Rightmove info. for houses on sale in the town I live in now and it soon became clear that a high proportion of "starter" houses (ie 2 and 3 bedroom terrace houses) come in at Band C and below for CT purposes - whereas many bungalows, for instance, come in at Band D. Yep.....tiny little 2 bedroom bungalows at Band D - whereas I could even find a 7 bedroom terrace house that still got put into Band C.

So it's very clear many Band D properties are not "luxury" level ones by any standard - and yet, if they amend CT cuts according to CT band that will be another way many pensioners get belted one financially.