The Truth Behind The Deficit.?

Gill57 , you are correct, the State pension should never be regarded as a benefit, because it has been already paid for through a working life. And so I apologize for that mishap in my earlier post.

But it is regarded as a benefit by all governments Parliament100.

Gracesgran,

In 1980 Margaret Thatcher severed the State pensions and earnings link, and this move initiated the Tory plan to reduce the State and everything attached to it. The State pension in Tory's eyes is a benefit. End of story!

No, it is not the end of the story Parliament100 - how rude. If you look at any paperwork concerned with the state pension you will see it is called a benefit and has been under all governments. I did not say whether I thought it was right or wrong that they do this but it is a fact and whatever you wish it to be, that is how governments consider it.

Gracesgran, I apologise for my comment "end of story", but I feel it is for the State pension and ill tell you why ?

It was a Labour Government in the early 1970's who first linked the State pensions to male average earnings or inflation whichever the higher to protect the value of the State pension.

It was the Thatcher Government in 1980 who broke the link with earnings and then linked the State pension to inflation and then brought in policies to lower inflation, whilst bringing in the means testing of pensioners on a wide scale, and since then the New Labour Government under Tony Blair 1997- 2010, did not reverse Thatcher's pensions policy, but introduced Pension Credit, which continued the means test. So when you say "all" Government's, the reality is that since 1980, "all" Government's have been right wing, including Tony Blair's New Labour Government who ditched Labour's core values to get middle class Tory voters on board to get into power in 1997.

Basically the Tory right wing do not believe in the roll of the State or indeed the State pension, this is why the State pension remains the virtually the lowest in Europe, backed up by a very costly means test system.

I don't disagree with you Parliament100, but ignoring the fact that the government does see it as a benefit doesn't help.

Gracesgran. The right wing of the Tory party in or out of Government, like people on benefits, because benefits can be taken away, and I can see in a future Tory Government the State pension being subject to means testing.

Margaret Thatcher left Tony Blair a huge rich and poor divide, Tony Blair widened that rich and poor divide.

For over 30 years we've given tax cuts to the rich, and via trickle down economics, the rest of us are continuing to endure means tested handouts, thus creating an even wider rich and poor divide.

The Tory's believe in a small State, and low income taxes, and because the State pension is the lowest in the developed world, I can seriously see it being phased out completely as a universal payment, and it being subject to a means test.

Tony Blair did not succeed Margaret Thatcher so was not 'left' anything by her. John Major was PM for over six years in between.

So glad the OP put a ? after the title of this thread.

Re phasing out the State Pension .....

Anya, It was Thatcher who introduced the free market into Britain in the 1980's, John Major continued the free market. Tony Blair continued the same..

I so enjoy splitting hairs, its a welcome relief from the serious stuff lol

I can understand why!

Anya, So can I!

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Hilarious!

A bored student?

Would that be rump-steak talking?

Parliament100, well put!.. Reading some of the responses I can understand Britain's right wing tabloids being so popular.

Elegran, Are you deliberately trying to be stupid, or does it come natural to you ?

The same could be asked of you, Questiontime. If you're going to post long rants, at least check your spelling.

I wasn't the one who "would steak my life on it".

I didnt see the post that Questiontime gor deleted.
But we dont have to check spellings. We are not at school any more and we are not pupils.

As you say, soontobe, you didn't see the post. It wasn't just a case of misspelling...

ok

Elegran, let he/she has has never sinned, cast the first stone.

""""Gracesgran Mon 06-Jul-15 22:39:28
It doesn't say all Tory supporters are greed infested Ana and, although I do think a few will be, I feel many of the people who paint all those receiving benefits as being of a particular type are just lacking in knowledge while believing the propaganda - they may not all be Tory supporters either."""

Gracesgran, you will forgive me for pointing out your very well observed posting.

May I add that our MP's receive over £60,000 a year in salary, with additional perks that are none means tested.

Gracesgran, I would like your view on this ?