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

Callistemon213

keepingquiet

Oh come on- blaming Labour for the state the Tories left the economy in. At least she's being honest and telling the truth, unlike all those Tory liars,

Did you read my earlier post with questions and MaizieD's reply?

The "There is no money" is a myth.

This is not the way to stimulate the economy.

Sadly, that's no comfort at all to those who will suffer from this bizarre decision.

I cannot imagine what Reeves must have been thinking in so explicitly targeting pensioners in her first foray as chancellor. I know that we're not popular among younger voters, those who struggle to pay their mortgages, or even to get onto the housing ladder, but do Labour not remember what happened to Theresa May with her social care 'death tax' proposal? This is politically insane...

Many younger folks have a granny who they won't want to see cold and suffering in the winter.

Isn't Rachel Reeves the poor lady who has trouble living on her salary? Or am I wrong?

When the £10 Xmas bonus began, in 1972, it bought quite a lot.

Now, it is relatively worthless, but apparently, to stop it, adjusting all the systems, would cost more than it would save.

As with the 25p “addition” when someone reaches the age of 80.

Jane43

ronib

Maybe stop the £10 at Christmas gift for pensioners too?

Absolutely, it is ridiculous. However I do hope they don’t take away my bus pass as I use it several times a week but as long as they keep the maximum fare amount I can cope.

BP made $13.8bn (£11bn) in 2023, down from the record $27.7bn in 2022.

Shell profits were $28.2bn (£22.3bn) in 2023, down from $39.9bn in 2022 - the highest earnings in its 115-year history.

BP says its UK businesses account for less than 10% of global profits, while Shell makes about 5% of its revenue in the UK.

British Gas profits for 2023 increased 10-fold to £750m.

And posters suggest removing the £10 Christmas bonus? 🤔

What is happening with the Windfall Tax now we have a new Government?

J52

rosie1959

I find it odd that the supposedly caring Labour party are hitting pensioners who are just over the limit for benefits. They may be just managing but this kick on the teeth will not help.

So what would be your answer?

Give it to all pensioners even if they don’t need it? Very costly.
Means test it? Again costly to administer
Raise the UC credit bar? Then the next layer of missing out would complain.
Raise the SP? Then those pushed into tax would complain.
Of course they could abolish paying tax for Pensioners.
Any other suggestions?

I suppose they could have stopped the winter fuel payment for those on the higher tax rate but I don’t have a problem with what they’ve done.

ronib

Maybe stop the £10 at Christmas gift for pensioners too?

Absolutely, it is ridiculous. However I do hope they don’t take away my bus pass as I use it several times a week but as long as they keep the maximum fare amount I can cope.

rosie1959

I find it odd that the supposedly caring Labour party are hitting pensioners who are just over the limit for benefits. They may be just managing but this kick on the teeth will not help.

So what would be your answer?

Give it to all pensioners even if they don’t need it? Very costly.
Means test it? Again costly to administer
Raise the UC credit bar? Then the next layer of missing out would complain.
Raise the SP? Then those pushed into tax would complain.
Of course they could abolish paying tax for Pensioners.
Any other suggestions?

keepingquiet

Oh come on- blaming Labour for the state the Tories left the economy in. At least she's being honest and telling the truth, unlike all those Tory liars,

Did you read my earlier post with questions and MaizieD's reply?

The "There is no money" is a myth.

This is not the way to stimulate the economy.

Here ....

Marg75

Peartree, and also saying we should all leave our homes and go and sit in a warm hub all day!!

Sorry, I suggested warm hubs are available, thought it was helpful. They are popular herd as a way of socialising too.
Please ignore!

Labour the Nasty Party. Taking money off pensioners some who will now be unable to keep warm this winter. Cancelling the Care Cap now if you go into care they will take all of your hard-earned money, yet people who have paid nothing in will get looked after for free. The ones coming over on the dinghies will be kept nice and warm this winter you can be sure of that.

keepingquiet

Oh come on- blaming Labour for the state the Tories left the economy in. At least she's being honest and telling the truth, unlike all those Tory liars,

Don't talk rot ! She wouldn't know what honesty and truth telling are if they hit her in the face. She's just proved that.

I find it odd that the supposedly caring Labour party are hitting pensioners who are just over the limit for benefits. They may be just managing but this kick on the teeth will not help.

I meant to add that the raising of the pension brought many into paying tax, as was discussed at great length on this forum.
It also took some pensioners into the higher tax band.

Mt61

HattieTopper

They took away our free TV licence, now the winter fuel allowance and next April, I bet we will be paying tax on our state pensions. Why not shoot us and have done with it.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

They were the last Tory Government, who also raised the pension throughout the Tripple Lock.
Some people already pay tax on their pensions and always have done.

Oh come on- blaming Labour for the state the Tories left the economy in. At least she's being honest and telling the truth, unlike all those Tory liars,

So do you think if this was in their manifesto they would have won the Election?dont think so.
What else have they up thier sleeves. Worrying times ahead I fear. Labour used to be for the working class then along came Tony Blair. You have to laugh or you would cry.

JudyBloom

Rachel Reeves should be ashamed of herself. God help us with this tyrannical government. This is not what we voted for.

Unfortunately, it is exactlywhat was voted for!

Rachel Reeves should be ashamed of herself. God help us with this tyrannical government. This is not what we voted for.

I agree in part with the decision regarding the fuel allowance. Some people don’t need it. But single people only receiving full state pension certainly do need it.
Maybe they should be offered free dental treatment and glasses as some of us have been pushed into private dentistry and certainly can’t afford it. These two things alone are very expensive.
I fear now people will be looking at claiming other benefits such as AA. I know lots of people claiming,with not very much wrong with them which surely is counterproductive.

But we knew.
Gordon Brown reduced pensions by robbing the pension pot.
Rachel Reeves removes the WFP which will hit all those who are just getting by on the cusp of claiming credits.
Jolly good, all the Jacks on here who don’t need it and passed it on.
Giving, but not fully fundung the teacher’s payrise? What’s the point of that when schools are already underfunded.
Starmer won’t care, because he won’t be affected.
Roll it out Labour.
Next it will be savings, unless I’ve missed that and it’s already happened.

Marg75

Peartree, and also saying we should all leave our homes and go and sit in a warm hub all day!!

slipping, sliding on icy ground on the walk to a warm hub. I can see the sly smile on RR. Deviously get rid of the pensioners whilst supporting the boat people, cheap labour for the future,

biglouis

Many pensioners who are on the cusp do not have any viable means to increase their income. They may not be fit enough to work or unable to find a job because of employer ageism. This is a real kick in the teeth when compared with the "16 hours" a week working age brigade who turn down extra shifts because it will "mess up their UC." Lets hope there are tough new rules get this lazy bunch off their backsides.

UC doesn't work like that now.

Perhaps they should round us all up and put us on boats like that one for the asylum seekers in Dorset. They had doctors etc on there my next Doctors appointment is the end of August cos my RA pain is not an emergency. Lots of virtual signalling on here.
Oh and might not be able to go to a hub in winter if they close more libarys. I will just throw myself on the mercy of the Salvation Army.

Just over three weeks in No. 10 and they do this. Sets the tone nicely for what's to come - sickening to think about it. I hope all who voted them in are pleased with themselves, you've done a grand job.