Jeremy Paxman says 'no votes for pensioners'

I agree entirely that there are people of all ages who are disadvantaged or poor Eleothan and if we look beyond the bus pass issue what Paxman is actually saying is that many older people have forgotten the beliefs that underpinned their youth, of support for the poorest and weakest in society and now vote for a party which has a track record of punishing these people. Mostly because they are now comfortably off themselves. It's something that is enforced by many of the posts on here where the mere mention of socialism brings out howls of horror and far-left accusations.

Just did a quick calculation courtesy of Mr Google MazieD and 1972’s £10 is worth approximately £1.08 today. Or to look at it another way to be worth the same the £10 should be around £95 today (give or take pennies) .

The point is, I think, that there are many people who are disadvantaged and suffering hardship in this country - old and young. In my view, it is a pointless exercise engaging in a sort of "who's worse off than who" competition when talking about the vast majority in this country who may belong to a range of different income groups but who are not at the extremely high end of the wealth graph. We seem to be ignoring this very small group of people - both young and old - who are extremely wealthy but who are enabled, through both our local and national tax regimes, to avoid making a fair financial contribution to the country in which they live. In such a context and given the inadequacy of state pension provision, I think targeting older people because they get free bus passes is just a way of diverting attention away from the real issues.

It wasn't a joke when it was introduced a zillion years ago, gillybob; it was actually worth something then

Google says it was first paid in 1972

The £10 Christmas bonus is a joke.

I thought that the bus passes and fuel allowance were introduced as a sop for not increasing the pension which lags behind those in other European countries.
Like the £10 Christmas bonus, the fuel allowance isn't subject to the triple lock either.

too many 'took places in my post!!)

To get back to the OP - this was a very one-sided view of the debate that took place. I think it was Eloethan who provided a link to the debate which was to take place (it took place on the 9th February).

Paxman was just one of two speakers in favour of the motion: 'The Young Today have been Betrayed by the Older Generations' The other speaker was Georgia 'a young rising star in the Labour Party'
Speaking against the motion were Esther Rantzen and Ella Whelan, assistant editor of Spiked.

I have had a brief look for a link to the whole debate but can't find one and now I have to go out - because I am looking after DGC so that DS and DIL can go to work. Other granny has them at the moment.
Would it be selfish of me to say that I'm really looking forward to it?

Oh how people love the 'pat on the head' society with hand outs to those they see as less than themselves. Surely the answer is to bring in a proper basic pension. If the "generous" government universal and means tested benefits such as the Christmas 'Bonus', the Winter Fuel "Allowance" the NHS Low Income Scheme, Pension Credit etc., etc., were carefully phased out in step with pension increases I do believe it would be possible to make the change cost neutral. It would also stop those who are just above the Pension Credit level ending up feeling worse off than if they had made what end up being very small pension arrangements for themselves. The last change should be the bus pass though as it has many more plusses to the person and society than just being able to get from A to B.

Sorry for letting the thread wander ...

MissAdventure Agreed

Thanks wally. I have nothing to say about Paxman, if we're getting back to him.
I'm surprised his opinion has been given any credence at all to be honest.

So sorry to hear of your situation but I was referring to taxable incomes only.

Yes, I was just thinking that myself. Good point wally

We have strayed a long way from Jeremy Paxman.

And then pay back any fares you owed?

You would keep your passes until after the check was over.

Wally, I have been a carer for my mum, so on benefits, and am currently on benefits as looking after my grandson since my daughter died.
Nothing is sorted out in a flash, I can confidently say!

The tax office can tell what peoples incomes are in a flash.

The trouble is that whilst income was checked and so on, people would be without the means to get out and about, and councils are not known for being prompt with paperwork, etc.

Oh and .... leave the house earlier . Ha ha

Me too MissAdventure and they have got zero sense of humanity ! I spoke to them after the first threatening letter said my DS and DDiL could be taken to court etc. I tried to explain the failed appeals, the fact that it was only ever in certain shift patterns that they had to take several buses, buses were late or didn’t turn up etc. I also said the HT is fully aware of the situation and supports the family ! Their answer ..... not their problem . doesn’t cover it .

Elegran Yes I would be prepared to have my income checked not necessarily by some wee lassie as you put it. I know some older people are not very well off because of divorce, family circumstances and having had low income jobs but others are quite well off usually because of hard work but not always. What I'm saying is that older people must not impoverish young people as the social consequences can be far reaching.

Oh that makes me so cross! The education authority. Those paragons of school attendance. The ones who said it was ok for my grandson to miss school as they knew his mum was too ill to take him. Makes me want to spit!

Ridiculous, isn't it, gilly?