Rachel Reeves has announced that winter fuel payments will only be paid to those on Pension Credit.nsion Credit

In your view Whitewave, but not in the view of others. Your view is merely an opinion.

I would also like to say that by focusing on one tiny (in monetary terms) part of the current spending review and then extrapolating that out to the entire economic policy is a tad unbalanced.

It's not just that, though, is it.
Much of the statement seemed to go against what we were expecting from a Labour Government.

I expected absolutely nothing from a Labour government personally. I expected and still expect the triple lock to go fairly soon, probably after one year.
I was hopeful that the NHS would improve, but I knew that would take time. That was my only expectation from Labour.

maddyone

In your view Whitewave, but not in the view of others. Your view is merely an opinion.

Yes - correct me if I’m wrong isn’t that what this thread is about opinions? So not sure why I’m singled out for voicing my view?

It interesting that pensioners are given free travel, one might ask why? ( I do know the arguments for bus passes, so please don’t explain it)

If you know the answers, why ask?

But as you know, some of the reasons are that the bus pass helps many pensioners without access to cars get out and about instead of sitting at home in isolation, it takes quite a few cars off the road so has an environmental impact, and it’s been estimated that every pound spent on a pass generates at least three times as much for the local economy.

I only wish more people would use it. As I wish the 40% or so of eligible pensioners not taking up their entitlement to Pension Credit would apply.

Because Whotewave what you said came over as a fact.

You said that is entirely incorrect.

Spoken as a fact.

Downsizing costs a good deal of money in costs and fees. I reckon the fuel allowance did a good job in redistributing wealth. Those who needed it to pay for fuel used it that way, those who didn’t amongst my friends gave it to small local charities or used it in our local shops at Christmas, they won’t be doing either this year so readily.
easybee you are right, I would love to go out and protest but with osteoporosis it would be madness

Callistemon213

^I would also like to say that by focusing on one tiny (in monetary terms) part of the current spending review and then extrapolating that out to the entire economic policy is a tad unbalanced.^

It's not just that, though, is it.
Much of the statement seemed to go against what we were expecting from a Labour Government.

But what no one is recognising is that this statement was NOT about Labour’s spending plans going forward, it is about the inherited Tory spending plans for the immediate future and how Reeves is trying to manage them. This is about Tory spending and managing them within Tory fiscal rules.

There will be a budget and labour spending plans in the autumn.

That is the time to begin to assess the labour government.

Everyone is getting too excited.

Maggiemaybe

^It interesting that pensioners are given free travel, one might ask why? ( I do know the arguments for bus passes, so please don’t explain it)^

If you know the answers, why ask?

But as you know, some of the reasons are that the bus pass helps many pensioners without access to cars get out and about instead of sitting at home in isolation, it takes quite a few cars off the road so has an environmental impact, and it’s been estimated that every pound spent on a pass generates at least three times as much for the local economy.

I only wish more people would use it. As I wish the 40% or so of eligible pensioners not taking up their entitlement to Pension Credit would apply.

The bus pass is useless to me as we don't have any buses anymore they have been taken off so now I have to pay for taxis to get me to the hospital or GP surgery and that is out of my income (not on benefits by the way). I am worse off than the people on benefits and now the WFA has been stopped all I can say, is God help me. Heating or eating, staying at home day in and day out because of lack of bus services. Thank god I am on my way out. I am in my mid 80's, have to pay for gardeners and diy people as well.

I may have one last splurge and pay for a multi burning stove installing so I can toast bread over the flames and burn my rubbish to keep warm. Back to the 40's I go.

I am lucky that it is not a problem for me and I broadly support the move, though I appreciate I may feel differently if I was just above pension credit level

Maggiemaybe

^It interesting that pensioners are given free travel, one might ask why? ( I do know the arguments for bus passes, so please don’t explain it)^

If you know the answers, why ask?

But as you know, some of the reasons are that the bus pass helps many pensioners without access to cars get out and about instead of sitting at home in isolation, it takes quite a few cars off the road so has an environmental impact, and it’s been estimated that every pound spent on a pass generates at least three times as much for the local economy.

I only wish more people would use it. As I wish the 40% or so of eligible pensioners not taking up their entitlement to Pension Credit would apply.

I would if I could get to a bus stop easily and the bus took me where I wanted to go to.

Everyone is getting too excited.

I wouldn't say excited was exactly the right word!!

Bemused?

pandapatch

I am lucky that it is not a problem for me and I broadly support the move, though I appreciate I may feel differently if I was just above pension credit level

Oh! patronising much!

I think the key point here is that Keir Starmer said before the election that he would not take money from the workers so it would seem that as pensioners no longer work we are easy targets. There will be more to come particularly now at the beginning of their term. Maybe bus passes will be the next to go.

I have no problem with RR move to scrap the WFA, except for those on pension credit etc. Whilst I understand it will be unpopular with many, it is very unfair that people get it who really don’t need it.

In her autumn budget, I hope she tackles those with obscene wealth!

The thing is, Whitewave, politically and psychologically, this is not a good look although younger people might have a different take on it, of course.

Somd of the announcements about infrastructure are bewildering.

Struggling Millennials who are resentful of so-called wealthy "Boomers" might welcome this.
Angus Hanton may love it, fuelling his resentments.

Who’s Angus Hanton?

I expect those on LBC radio will love it.

maggiemaybe, I often feel that dh and I do not ‘deserve’ our Freedom passes, and I’d certainly miss mine if it were taken away, but around here (outer SW London) anyway, it does certainly keep a lot of cars off the road. I use my car a great deal less since I’ve had it, and dh and I would never even think of driving into central London any more.

I do often feel that others would be much more deserving though - younger people still paying off mortgages and forking out for ruinously expensive childcare.

maddyone

Who’s Angus Hanton?

He of the Intergeneral Foundation, a think-tank promoting the interests of younger generations.

Intergenerational (sorry - autocorrect!)

I asked why free bus passes in a rhetorical way. It wasn’t always the case and why give it to those who don’t need it? Rather like the WFA.
Heat and fuel to cook with are basic needs, a bus pass isn’t, although, I do realise that it is a lifeline to some.

Thanks Callistemon.

If free bus passes were abolished, would this mean many companies, routes, would have to close down?

They do seem to be endangered anyway.
Good, affordable public transport should mean fewer cars on the road so it would be a shortsighted move.