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

Freya5 if it suits you to think it was patronising, I don’t mind. My friends agree with me about standing next to an air conditioner in this very hot weather.
Each to their own…..
The way this new regime is treating pensioners will lead to necessary changes in accommodation and ways of living unless Labour comes clean and itemises its policies towards the old and vulnerable.
Quite frankly I can live with patronising but heartless and cruel I am not.

MayBee70

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?

Yes, under an Ethics and Integrity Commission, with its own independent Chair

(at the moment MP's "police" themselves.)

It's intended to stop the handouts for contracts and the well paid directorships on bodies that could influence govt policy as well as aspects of "sleaze".

I doubt if they intend to stop, for example, MP's who are doctors working a few shifts (they have to, to keep their qualifications) or similar - don't know the details.

I am really concerned about the effect this will have on pensioners who don't receive benefits because they have some savings. The cost of heating is always a huge worry due to the price increases. I know what will happen, the heating won't go on and there will be more hospitalisation if we have a cold winter. A dreadful move from Labour.

Doodledog it might have escaped your attention but Labour is a more suitable recipient of your scorn than I.
Yes it’s very important to keep as mobile as possible and some 90 year olds are able to participate in wider society whereas some younger people are not.
Incontinence seems to follow on from immobility…

I posted at 11:06:27 linking to a very informative research brief published in 2019 about the future of the WFP.

Nobody has commented on it so I might assume that nobody has read it but if you do you would see that this was always coming. Arguably the Tories didn't have the courage to do it for fear of the backlash from their own voter base. Note the paper was published on 5 November 2019, so just before the GE on 12 December 2019.

Options for reform were: means testing, taxing, withdrawal from higher income pensioners.

Note it says that withdrawal at a certain threshold would create a cliff edge problem that could be tackled by some kind of taper as had been done for the Child Benefit Higher Income Charge. Perhaps we shall see something of this in the Autumn Statement.

Much of the reasoning behind leaving WFP as a universal benefit was because of the poor take up in pension credit - which Reeves covered in her speech. There were also discussions around the money saved from removing WFP being channelled into adult social care.

My gut feeling is that it would have changed next year but faced with the financial hole that the Tories have left behind, Reeves saw it as a quick way to fill some of it, withdraw a universal benefit that would have had to be paid in the next few months so making an immediate saving.

This is very short notice to suddenly be told that us as a couple will be £500 worse off than we had budgeted this winter. On the threshold and it will have an impact on us. This is looking like another WASPI situation to me even if they send a notification letter.

I was absolutely disgusted at this raid on pensioners. Yes I know some older people have the benefit of their husbands pensions etc. Or inherited wealth, But someone like me who worked hard all my working life and although I managed to buy a small terraced house 10 years ago after my husband decided after 40 years to pursue his belief that the grass was greener etc…. I have a pretty meagre income and because I own my own house I am not entitled to any benefits that would make life easier and ensure that I kept the heating payment …. And just to rub salt in the wound this year I would have been entitled to £300.

Merion

I posted at 11:06:27 linking to a very informative research brief published in 2019 about the future of the WFP.

Nobody has commented on it so I might assume that nobody has read it but if you do you would see that this was always coming. Arguably the Tories didn't have the courage to do it for fear of the backlash from their own voter base. Note the paper was published on 5 November 2019, so just before the GE on 12 December 2019.

Options for reform were: means testing, taxing, withdrawal from higher income pensioners.

Note it says that withdrawal at a certain threshold would create a cliff edge problem that could be tackled by some kind of taper as had been done for the Child Benefit Higher Income Charge. Perhaps we shall see something of this in the Autumn Statement.

Much of the reasoning behind leaving WFP as a universal benefit was because of the poor take up in pension credit - which Reeves covered in her speech. There were also discussions around the money saved from removing WFP being channelled into adult social care.

My gut feeling is that it would have changed next year but faced with the financial hole that the Tories have left behind, Reeves saw it as a quick way to fill some of it, withdraw a universal benefit that would have had to be paid in the next few months so making an immediate saving.

Rubbish making excuses for Labour they had to bow to their Union leaders tune and pensioners were an easy target. How about taking benefits off the ones who come on the boats 1010 in 4 days I think it was came over having paid thousands of euros to the smuggling gangs. £300 maternity benefit they get as well if they are pregnant. Bet they won't go cold this winter all nice and warm in 4 star hotels.

I used to donate my Winter Fuel Allowance to the Salvation Army but my friend, who has a state pension and a small works pension, will be greatly affected by this cut. She is 81 and still works part-time, maybe Rachel Reeves thinks she should get a full time job.

Wonder what the October Budget will bring.

biglouis

The guidelines said also those on "certain other means tested benefits" which probably means housing and council tax benefit.

Not AA because that is not means tested. We havnt yet heard exactly which benefits are involved. Not UC or ESA because they are working age benefits.

Many pensioners who just miss out on pension credit (because of a small private pension) are still entitled to a certain amount of local housing allowance (aka housing benefit) and/or council tax support. So lets wait for the details first.

The winter fuel payment will now be limited to people over state pension age who are receiving pension credit or a limited number of other benefits.

These benefits are: Income support; income-based jobseeker's allowance; income-related employment and support allowance; universal credit.

I only get state pension, no other income this will hit me hard this winter and many others too.

I believe this is just the first of many such actions by a government that has very little to do with the Labour party as we used to know it. (I would also say they do NOT have a mandate, as they were only voted in by about a third of the electorate, and I'm sure half of those just wanted to get the Tories out). Maybe many pensioners can get by comfortably without this benefit (we can, thankfully) but millions cannot. Let's remember, we have PAID for our pensions and related benefits through our National Insurance. While I am all for helping the needy, I strongly question the 'neediness' of the thousands of single males, flooding into this country and claiming benefits, and I strongly question the 'woke' ideology that gags anyone who objects to 'liberal' policies, which do not benefit the citizens of the country. I sometimes think that a factor behind the current British compulsion to give their culture away is a communal guilt for colonial days. Newsflash - there are very few countries that did not conquer, colonise and enslave, when they could, and responsibility is not all one way. Maybe I see this differently, being totally not English, but half Irish and half Belgian. I feel very sorry for pensioners who will now have to sit in the cold, glad I did not vote for this lot, vindicated in my expectations of this government, but very frightened for the future.

A 28-page research paper commisioned by the Tory party in 2019 when Johnson was PM and which gave three options for change but were not acted upon is not an apology for Labour.

Do stop with your tiresome, repetitive anti-immigration rants and read the paper. These measures had been discussed for years before that before any small boats arrivals. The two are unconnected.

Dickens

Reeves must be aware that those just above pension credit cut-off point are not well-off. How could she not know?

And because she knows, she - the government - will be expecting a revolt. So let's give it to them.

When a country's finances are allegedly in a crisis - it is always those with the least who pay the price - literally.

As Martin Lewis says, "The targeting of Winter Fuel Payments is too narrow with the winter we have coming. Pensioners were already due to get less as this will be the first time since winter 2022 they haven’t got the up to £300 extra winter fuel cost of living top-up."

... and continues...

"The Energy Price Cap is likely to rise 10% this October and stay high across the winter, leaving most energy bills nearly double those pre-crisis, at levels unaffordable for millions."

So - energy bills probably nearly double those pre-crisis - and she's removing the allowance this year?

I wonder who will next be hit with her "difficult choices"?

The economy is a long-term game - it would have made little difference if she'd deferred the cancellation of the WFA until next year and given those who are going to feel it the keenest a little time to possibly put away some money towards it.

Totally unacceptable. And yes, I did vote Labour, and I did anticipate the nation's finances would be a problem for them, but I am not above criticising them... this is just wrong. And yes, I am alright Jack, financially, but I do know what it's like to live hand-to-mouth as many pensioners are doing even though they are not in receipt of pension credit - but I was young and had the opportunity to earn money by taking on two jobs - pensioners, mostly, cannot do that, they must eke out the paltry pension.

So, any revolt, I'm in.

So, any revolt, I'm in.
What do you suggest?

How do we get into Parliament?
DH just bought some new glue ......

Merion

I posted at 11:06:27 linking to a very informative research brief published in 2019 about the future of the WFP.

Nobody has commented on it so I might assume that nobody has read it but if you do you would see that this was always coming. Arguably the Tories didn't have the courage to do it for fear of the backlash from their own voter base. Note the paper was published on 5 November 2019, so just before the GE on 12 December 2019.

Options for reform were: means testing, taxing, withdrawal from higher income pensioners.

Note it says that withdrawal at a certain threshold would create a cliff edge problem that could be tackled by some kind of taper as had been done for the Child Benefit Higher Income Charge. Perhaps we shall see something of this in the Autumn Statement.

Much of the reasoning behind leaving WFP as a universal benefit was because of the poor take up in pension credit - which Reeves covered in her speech. There were also discussions around the money saved from removing WFP being channelled into adult social care.

My gut feeling is that it would have changed next year but faced with the financial hole that the Tories have left behind, Reeves saw it as a quick way to fill some of it, withdraw a universal benefit that would have had to be paid in the next few months so making an immediate saving.

Yes I have read exactly that.

However, I think it might have been sensible to put this to one side until the expected drop in energy prices hits in.

But I suspect that Reeves has decided to face the unpopular decisions head on and get them out of the way first. She is very determined, to get to grip with the economy.

I voted Labour and don’t have a problem with not receiving this benefit. I always wondered why they didn’t just put up the pension by £5 a week instead of a burdensome extra admin task - the reason ? So they didn’t have to increase it with inflation. When I was a young parent everyone got child benefit not means tested - we seem to have forgotten how people were up in arms about changing that at the time.

Well this policy has brought the racists out

Thank you, WWM2. I agree. For the sake of an estimated 1.5 bn saving - which sounds huge but is small in the great scheme of things - I think she should have waited. It does at least show that she is not frightened to make unpopular decisions and face the flak. I hope there is some measure of taper relief in the Autumn Statement for those caught on the "cliff edge" of this.

Yes I think really that the time to really comment with any sense will be after the budget snd spending review.

Then I think we can criticise - or not- with greater knowledge.

Going off half-cock at the moment😊

Merion

A 28-page research paper commisioned by the Tory party in 2019 when Johnson was PM and which gave three options for change but were not acted upon is not an apology for Labour.

Do stop with your tiresome, repetitive anti-immigration rants and read the paper. These measures had been discussed for years before that before any small boats arrivals. The two are unconnected.

So you don't think there is a link as to why we have a black hole, the thousands of illegals coming over on the boats costing billions to keep, you surely do have your head in the sand. Yes the Labour government are controlled by the Unions, give the Unions what they asked for ie big pay rises to the junior doctors and take the money from pensioners.

No one else to blame but Rachel Reeves, she's the Chancellor and she has taken WFA away from vulnerable pensioners. Billions for the asylum seekers, billions to pay for climate change. 11.6 million to pay for Union led pay rises. It's not rocket science to see where the money is going.

Whitewavemark2

Yes I think really that the time to really comment with any sense will be after the budget snd spending review.

Then I think we can criticise - or not- with greater knowledge.

Going off half-cock at the moment😊

Your insensitive comments get worse.

Do all posters really understand how pensioners on very low budgets worry about a severe Winter and being cold?And if you do, do you just not care?
OF course RR ‘should have waited’ and even better, never done it at all. To do this just a few weeks into power and with Autumn, never mind Winter not too far away there is no time to save small amounts.
I realise that some in here are well off, some stupendously so from comments but there are millions who are certainly not and still count the pennies and are thrifty.

Oreo

Whitewavemark2

Yes I think really that the time to really comment with any sense will be after the budget snd spending review.

Then I think we can criticise - or not- with greater knowledge.

Going off half-cock at the moment😊

Your insensitive comments get worse.

It will be too late to make changes at the end of October!
November can be damp and cold.
Perhaps they can hand out survival blankets before then.

ninamoore

Well this policy has brought the racists out

Doesn’t take much

ninamoore

Well this policy has brought the racists out

It doesn't take much.

Rachel Reeves will be forced to U-turn on the WFA as there is not enough manpower or up todate computers to make this happen in such short time. Read this.

uk.yahoo.com/news/rachel-reeves-forced-u-turn-100014744.html