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

(862 Posts)
M0nica Mon 29-Jul-24 15:57:00

We will lose the benefit and that is fine by us. I think older people, especially those like us who are comfortably off, should be expected to make a contribution to sorting out the country's economic situation.

kwest Wed 31-Jul-24 12:19:44

I am very angry and as someone just over the limit due to the tiny private pension that I receive that apparently precludes me from any other help, I will be much worse off than people who are fully funded by the state. I am too worried to feel rational about what is happening.
The opening posts made me feel that the posters were gloating at their own good fortune. In very poor taste really,

karmalady Wed 31-Jul-24 12:20:37

Dickens, our generation is compliant and generally law-abiding. We queue and we follow the rules. We are a very easy target for RR, who is as hard as nails

count me in

ordinarygirl Wed 31-Jul-24 12:22:18

I think the £10 X mas bonus should be scrapped as it must cost more to process it than it is paid to people

sandelf Wed 31-Jul-24 12:32:23

This is a good explanation - also link to check whether one is entitled to a qualifying benefit. www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/07/eligibility-changes-winter-fuel-payment/

Seajaye Wed 31-Jul-24 12:36:08

Not that surprised as this is the first of many tax cuts and loopholes. It is however like putting a finger in hole in the dyke. This will probably hit JAM ( just about managing without any benefits ) pensioners the hardest. It could a very cold winter for many people who wont be able to have their heating on during the coldest months, especially if they don't qualify for any insulation grants either.

brummie Wed 31-Jul-24 12:40:02

£3billion to Ukraine for war every year for “as long as it takes”. UK support for Israel genocide and ethnic cleansing incalculable because the govt is quiet about its operations from Cyprus, in Lebanon and Yemen

JudyBloom Wed 31-Jul-24 12:43:14

It is typical, we who are careful with our money and look after ourselves are always penalised.

Lupatria Wed 31-Jul-24 12:51:15

it's just the tip of the iceberg.
i'm just outside the pension credit band and still have bills to pay.
i still have to pay a tv licence and i am paying income tax. i thought i would be better off with april's rises but my income tax payment trebled - i am better off but only by £1 a week!
i expect the government will reneague on their promise not to raise income tax and vat in the not too distant future.
not all pensioners are well off but can't claim pension credit.

nightowl Wed 31-Jul-24 12:53:06

When MPs of all colours vote to accept a lower annual pay increase and a reduced scale of expenses, in order to do their bit towards filling the ‘black hole in the budget’ then I might begin to feel we are all in this together.

orly Wed 31-Jul-24 12:53:31

And what happened to making sure non-doms, large global corporations, energy companies and banks pay appropriate taxation. She's following in the footsteps of Gordon Brown who raped our pensions by removing the Pensions Dividend Tax Credit when many of us were saving hard for our futures.

chattykathy Wed 31-Jul-24 12:54:19

My DH and I are fortunate enough to not need the WFA and said many times we and other people in our situation shouldn't receive it. I'd much rather it went to people less fortunate. However, I do think the threshold should be higher than only being paid to those on certain benefits.

J52 Wed 31-Jul-24 12:56:48

brummie

£3billion to Ukraine for war every year for “as long as it takes”. UK support for Israel genocide and ethnic cleansing incalculable because the govt is quiet about its operations from Cyprus, in Lebanon and Yemen

This was the last Governments promise after David Cameron’s visit earlier this year.
Personally I think Putin is very dangerous ( possibly far more than Hitler ) and has to be stopped.
It is disingenuous to blame the current government for all the spending of their predecessors.

Wyllow3 Wed 31-Jul-24 13:04:41

orly

And what happened to making sure non-doms, large global corporations, energy companies and banks pay appropriate taxation. She's following in the footsteps of Gordon Brown who raped our pensions by removing the Pensions Dividend Tax Credit when many of us were saving hard for our futures.

"And what happened to making sure non-doms, large global corporations, energy companies and banks pay appropriate taxation."

They are in Labour's sights. Not within 3 weeks.

Elz57 Wed 31-Jul-24 13:08:31

Asylum seekers or maybe Africa anywhere but here in the UK.
Just became a pensioner last September so got the fuel payment and I really appreciated it,my husband and I have worked all our life he is 2 years younger than me so you can imagine his disgust at this decision of Labour to do this we pay for everything Dental Glasses we are not on any benefits it sucks 🤬

Karole Wed 31-Jul-24 13:16:07

I agree, money from this country should stay here, and be given to our own people, to make sure we have housing, food, and enough to pay our bills, never mind giving housing out willy nilly to people invading our shores, we need to look after our homeless, pensioners, low paid, also families that have none of these things, then we can consider spreading a little, if there is any left. Maybe Rachael Reeves will donate her yearly income, she is very happy to take ours without a thought, why not hers, her perks and expenses would probably keep her going without pay, she won't be cold or hungry will she. Perhaps all of the parties would offer to take a pay cut, also cut out their expenses, that would save an enormous amount obviously to help the country, and live like the rest of us. I am glad I didn't vote Labour

PhilJaz Wed 31-Jul-24 13:35:55

I hope that the majority of those who require but now will not get the very much needed Winter Fuel Payment voted for
Labour

Doodledog Wed 31-Jul-24 13:39:59

PhilJaz

I hope that the majority of those who require but now will not get the very much needed Winter Fuel Payment voted for
Labour

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that you hope they voted for Labour because you believe that in the context of other measures to come the cut will be less impactful than another term under the Tories would be, or that you spitefully hope they regret voting for Labour because you disapprove of this cut and want them to suffer?

Farzanah Wed 31-Jul-24 13:43:16

Those who do not want to sign Change.org petition may feel happier signing the Age U.K. petition which is easy to find on their website. The Age U.K. petition is more nuanced and one which I have signed, and I think will carry more weight.

Merhaba Wed 31-Jul-24 13:45:01

Yes there's People that can and others that can't lose it. What get me is if you claime pension credit. You get alot more help than those who don't. What about these people that just get a pension and nothing else.. They don't get the help with nothing unless they rent..
I feel it should be means tested.. But only if your loaded. Or on more than the average..
I say to the labour voters. You've been shafted.. What next your not getting you government pension either. Means tested.. I really feel for the elderly.. Plus those on sickness benefit. The genuine ones. Not the ones who play on it.. I hope labour realises what they've done. To feed and cloth and house the illegal ones. To let our own people suffer. Sorry for the rant..

Doodledog Wed 31-Jul-24 13:49:54

Can someone please point me to where the LP made a promise not to cut the WFP? I don't remember their doing that.

This is not a lie. It's not popular, and it's based on a very unfair measure (the means-test), but it is not a lie. No cronies have benefited from it, and time will tell whether or not the money lost will be gained in other ways. If something is done about dentistry, for instance, many people would recoup the money very quickly. That is just one possibility - there are many others.

Mojack26 Wed 31-Jul-24 13:54:36

Knew this would happen with Labour ,and a lot more to come I think . This is just the beginning....They always give into the unions' demands. That's partly where our winter fuel allowance is going,to fund the pay rises!😡

Freya5 Wed 31-Jul-24 14:03:26

ronib

Today was very hot and I welcomed the free air conditioning in the shops …. So maybe pensioners need to access warm hubs in the winter. Go to shopping malls, libraries and maybe volunteer to help in a charity shop and stay warm that way. Wear extra layers of clothing and maybe wear a poncho /coat, hat and gloves etc … bit sad though for the fifth or is it sixth richest economy in the world?

What a patronising post. So pensioners shouldn't stay in their homes for warmth, they should go out and about in the freezing weather. Oops then spend weeks in hospital after slipping over and fracturing their hip. Be warm and fed though won't they . !!!

MayBee70 Wed 31-Jul-24 14:09:22

Karole

I agree, money from this country should stay here, and be given to our own people, to make sure we have housing, food, and enough to pay our bills, never mind giving housing out willy nilly to people invading our shores, we need to look after our homeless, pensioners, low paid, also families that have none of these things, then we can consider spreading a little, if there is any left. Maybe Rachael Reeves will donate her yearly income, she is very happy to take ours without a thought, why not hers, her perks and expenses would probably keep her going without pay, she won't be cold or hungry will she. Perhaps all of the parties would offer to take a pay cut, also cut out their expenses, that would save an enormous amount obviously to help the country, and live like the rest of us. I am glad I didn't vote Labour

I’m happy to be proved wrong but I doubt if many or any Labour MP’s have the lucrative second jobs that a lot of Conservatives MP’s had in the last government. I think Labour are going to bring in legislation about MP’s second jobs?

NellieJ Wed 31-Jul-24 14:17:13

Like many I can managed but for lots it will be a problem x and they will suffer x while I feel for refugees they will have heating as do prisons x

Doodledog Wed 31-Jul-24 14:26:47

Freya5

ronib

Today was very hot and I welcomed the free air conditioning in the shops …. So maybe pensioners need to access warm hubs in the winter. Go to shopping malls, libraries and maybe volunteer to help in a charity shop and stay warm that way. Wear extra layers of clothing and maybe wear a poncho /coat, hat and gloves etc … bit sad though for the fifth or is it sixth richest economy in the world?

What a patronising post. So pensioners shouldn't stay in their homes for warmth, they should go out and about in the freezing weather. Oops then spend weeks in hospital after slipping over and fracturing their hip. Be warm and fed though won't they . !!!

It's quite something, isn't it? Get a poncho, a hat and gloves, and work in a charity shop to keep warm??

That's one thing when you're hale and hearty, but quite another if you're 90 and getting a bit infirm. At what point should older people be able to put their feet up (preferably in front of a fire) and rest after a lifetime of work?

The thought of nonagenarians in Mexican dress heading to Oxfam to keep warm would be comical if not so utterly outrageous.