The Guardian STILL using that stock photo to illustrate the Winter Fuel Payment row

Oreo

maddyone

Incidentally, medically, the air temperature is what is most important. That’s why people who are wearing clothing entirely suitable for mountaineering still suffer from hypothermia if they become lost or stuck!
The air temperature!

That’s interesting, didn’t know that.

That is what killed my mum, breathing in icy cold air when the bus missed so had to go home again. She died the following morning. She was 85 and always was very careful to keep herself wrapped up and wore thermal vests with long sleeves and a warm jumper and cardigan. She wore fur lined slippers and woolly socks and trousers. My late husband had Emphysema and was on oxygen and he dare not go anywhere near the front or back door as the cold air made him breathless. I have asthma and also cannot breathe in the cold air so I always stay at home when the weather is really icy and when I do go out, I wear a scarf over my mouth. It is very rare I do go out in winter nowadays. I am 82.

I have missed the point about Rachel Reeves having an energy allowance. How is it known that she claims it? Does it apply to KS as well?

winterwhite

I have missed the point about Rachel Reeves having an energy allowance. How is it known that she claims it? Does it apply to KS as well?

Yes they both get fuel allowance on their second homes. Been reported on both TV and papers.

GrannyGravy13

I prefer this one

The photo is cut off at the top of the arms, so how do you know she has just a tee shirt on, when this pic was drawn, that would have been unlikely. She has a scarf on and hat, which helps keep her warm. So therefore possibly a coat too. The sentiment is very true.
I remember all the uproar re Cons when people were saying they couldn't feed their kids, or heat their homes. I remember seeing a young mother on TV, in a tee shirt, saying she couldn't put her heating on!As she couldn't afford it.
So Labour has done even worse. Because the elderly, and elderly ill and disabled are more at risk from the cold and inability to pay their heating bills. Perhaps they won't be able to eat to heat!!!

Freya5

GrannyGravy13

I prefer this one

The photo is cut off at the top of the arms, so how do you know she has just a tee shirt on, when this pic was drawn, that would have been unlikely. She has a scarf on and hat, which helps keep her warm. So therefore possibly a coat too. The sentiment is very true.
I remember all the uproar re Cons when people were saying they couldn't feed their kids, or heat their homes. I remember seeing a young mother on TV, in a tee shirt, saying she couldn't put her heating on!As she couldn't afford it.
So Labour has done even worse. Because the elderly, and elderly ill and disabled are more at risk from the cold and inability to pay their heating bills. Perhaps they won't be able to eat to heat!!!

Sorry GrannyGravy 13, this was a reply to mae 113. Apologies.

Casdon

The thread is about typecasting old people Oreo. The cartoon is as a much typecasting as is the Guardian picture.

*Dasdon, absolutely, that is just what I was about to write. I hate these stereotypical illustrations of little old ladies, always looking gormless and wearing a hat.

When did you last see an older woman wearing a hat like this as she goes about her ordinary business of life, other than hats with a purpose; a warm wooly hat in cold weather or a sun hat in very hot weather.

This is a frustrating thread which I thought was about stock photos and how ridiculous they often are.

I don't think it was intended as a political/financial thread.
It's under chat

NotSpaghetti

This is a frustrating thread which I thought was about stock photos and how ridiculous they often are.

I don't think it was intended as a political/financial thread.
It's under chat

Most of it is about stock photos with only the odd digression.

We need to remind the media that old people come in all shapes and sizes. Joan Collins, at 90 is definitely an old lady and Madonna is 66, so on the cusp of collecting her pension, were she a UK citizen.

I like the GG13 cartoon, says it all.
Also very much like the comment by a gransnetter a few days ago re MP's still benefiting from subsidised restaurants and bars in the HOC. Why not get their own house in order too?

That’s exactly what I thought mae13

How she has the audacity to take away from us and accepts such a huge wage is pure and utter greed!

At least they have got rid of those traffic signs depicting old people with two bent elderly people leaning on walking sticks if I remember correctly.

AGAA4

At least they have got rid of those traffic signs depicting old people with two bent elderly people leaning on walking sticks if I remember correctly.

There is still one three doors down from our friend’s house in Essex.

It's time images of elderly people were changed. All the old people I know are nothing like the way we are depicted. The ones round my area can be seen striding along with their dogs, cycling and some still running.

I do not like quibbling over bits of people's salaries. Most MPs need to have a home in London and in their constituency - and the constituency one is often their main home.

But I think the costs they get for that second home, rent apart should be based on what the avarage bill is.

We live in a large 4 bedroomed Listed house, over 550 years old, so not the most energy efficient, Our energy bill last year was just over £3,000. What on earth sort of house is Rachel Reeves living in that the energy bill is over £4,000?

The average monthly energy bill for a 3-bed semi-detached house with energy efficiency rating D is around £176, or £2,120 annually. I think MPs should be limited to claiming that and no more www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Average+energy+bill+uk

Dreadful!!

maddyone

Whilst I agree that people need to wear appropriate clothing in the winter months, I believe that the real reason people become too cold is because the air they are breathing is too cold. Air temperature is the key to keeping warm and not becoming hypothermic. Obviously people should wear warm clothing and have hot drinks and heated blankets etc. But breathing warm air is key.

I like the cartoon GG13. Doris maybe old fashioned, but the point is clear.

Incidentally one of my grandmothers wore a knitted hat indoors during the winter time.

But breathing warm air is key.

That, is absolutely the point. Particularly for those with heart problems, or certain other medical conditions.

Undoubtedly, some pensioners will choose not to put the heating on 24/7 and become ill - or worse - as a result.

BigBopper, that is so sad, and thanks for explaining about the importance of air being warm.
Complaining about GNs jumping on bandwagons? It happens on just about every thread. We have all done it at some time or another. Opens out the discussion. Wagons Ho!
Monica, your home sounds gorgeous.

Well well well, even more horrendous news www.financialreporter.co.uk/over-270000-pensioners-denied-pension-credit.html

If we can go back to byline photos for a moment. The wife of someone I used to work with has a column in the Saturday Guardian. Her photo has not changed in 20 years or more!

Freya5

Well well well, even more horrendous news www.financialreporter.co.uk/over-270000-pensioners-denied-pension-credit.html

Only horrendous, if they did really qualify but were turned down. If the 27,000 were all in the upper income echelons, of pension income it is quite reasonable that they were turned down.

Arrangements should certainly have been made for those whose income was up to 10% above the PC rate. but there are plenty of us who can afford to heat our houses without the WFA and it seems utterly reasonable that we should not get it.

I like this one which has Mein Fuhrer Starmer and his moll as Dickensian villains.

My mother always wore a shawl around her shoulders during colder weather. She said it was far warmer than thick cardigans and also kept draughts off. When she was in her 80s and her shawl was getting tatty she had me crocheting one for her which I did in nice colours.
When she died age 87 I inherited it and it is now on the back of my chair, and I admit I have used it many times since and I always think mother had the right idea.
I also still have a couple of the big scarves we wore over coats in I think the 70s perhaps be worth bringing those back this winter.

I do agree it is wrong that MPs get a fuel allowance while at the same time reducing the number of people eligible for winter fuel allowance.

However, I notice that older people seem to be very vociferous on this issue but often quite silent on the predicament of young people and families who often, at a huge financial cost and with no security of tenure, struggle with so many rising costs, especially child care.

In my road, several older people are spending huge amounts of money on home improvements so presumably people like that do not really need extra payments.

I believe many pensioners who are entitled to pension credit are not claiming it, and a concerted effort should be made to identify these people. I think there are also local council hardship payments available to people who are really struggling.

Meantime the Irish government has RAISED their winter fuel allowance to all pensioners.This year its 1000 euros.

Small country that doesn't have to give its income to Westminster!!!Unlike Scotland where there is already snow on the hills