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

Oreo

janeainsworth

The U.K. State Pension is about the lowest in Europe, not just in absolute value but also relative to the cost of living.
The WFA is/was part of the package.
Labour could have chosen to tax the energy companies to fund their spending plans but they chose to take from older people, many of whom don’t have private or occupational pensions & for whom the loss of the WFA will be significant.
There’s also an argument for making some benefits (like Child Benefit used to be) universal, to foster a feeling of inclusiveness & being part of society.
Instead, the Government has chosen to increase division between those who contribute to benefits & those who receive them.

Exactly👏🏻👏🏻

Well said, janeainsworth.

Applying for certain allowances and government help is like jumping through a series of burning hoops.

Even trying to find out if you are receiving the correct amount of pension is difficult for older pensioners. The advice online is "Seek specialist advice". 🤔

Good idea if they cut down on MP’s extras, like the HoC food and drinks, etc.

LizzieDrip

^I rarely come across the level of bitterness and bile in ‘real life’ that I’ve seen on here lately^

Same Doodledog

Yes and it isn’t all one way either.

Doodledog

It is definitely not representative of my friends and family (of any age or income group).

I hadn't realised just how far apart the two groups are until people on here began to realise that they stand to lose money under a Labour government instead of the poor losing money under the Tories. At that point the tone completely changed. People openly boasting about protecting their assets, horrified at the thought of millionaires losing a few pounds and so on in the most unpleasant manner imaginable.

And yes, I know that the withdrawal of the WFA will affect those without money more than those with it, but I find it ironic that it is the very people who supported Tory cuts to benefits who are complaining about this, before we have even heard the budget. It's easy to think it is just Labour-bashing, as it is so dissonant.

🤔

Most posters seem to be concerned about those who are just above the limit for receiving Pension credit because they might not receive a full old State Pension and they have a tiny occupational pension.
They will generally be much older people, perhaps single for whatever reason, less fit and unable to go out and very worried indeed about how this is going to affect them.

I think groups such as the Intergenerational Foundation have stirred up discord between older and younger generations.

Mollygo

Good idea if they cut down on MP’s extras, like the HoC food and drinks, etc.

I know someone who works in the HoC. The subsidy the MPs enjoy, not just on food, but also on alcohol is unbelievable. Snouts in the trough applies to them all sad to say. Just one honourable one to be whistleblower might wake them all up to their immense privilege. Who else gets subsidised alcohol at their place of work and even during working hours?

Well said Doodledog!

It is definitely not representative of my friends and family (of any age or income group).

I hadn't realised just how far apart the two groups are until people on here began to realise that they stand to lose money under a Labour government instead of the poor losing money under the Tories. At that point the tone completely changed. People openly boasting about protecting their assets, horrified at the thought of millionaires losing a few pounds and so on in the most unpleasant manner imaginable.

And yes, I know that the withdrawal of the WFA will affect those without money more than those with it, but I find it ironic that it is the very people who supported Tory cuts to benefits who are complaining about this, before we have even heard the budget. It's easy to think it is just Labour-bashing, as it is so dissonant.

Rosie51

Mollygo

Good idea if they cut down on MP’s extras, like the HoC food and drinks, etc.

I know someone who works in the HoC. The subsidy the MPs enjoy, not just on food, but also on alcohol is unbelievable. Snouts in the trough applies to them all sad to say. Just one honourable one to be whistleblower might wake them all up to their immense privilege. Who else gets subsidised alcohol at their place of work and even during working hours?

Who else gets subsidised alcohol at their place of work and even during working hours?

Who else even consumes alcohol at their place of work?

Alcohol is not a necessity for MPs - they need to eat, but they do not need to drink.

If they must, then it should come out of their own pockets.

It would not save much money (well - who knows, judging by the belligerent and bellicose behaviour of some which might be alcohol-fuelled), but the principle is wrong.

Perhaps it is worth mentioning that Winter Fuel Payments were introduced by a Labour Government in 1997 as a non-means tested benefit to help older people cope with the cost of heating their homes in winter.

Since then the cost of fuel has spiralled.

Introduced by a Labour Government, continued by Tory and Coalition Governments, now to be taken away by a Labour Government.

I agree, Callistemon, and don’t think I have said otherwise, have I? I have definitely argued against stereotyping generations before now, but not on this thread. The two groups I referenced are my friends and family and the GN demographic, in response to a PP on the subject.

I have said more than once on this thread that I completely understand people being worried about the WFA being withdrawn. Just as I have argued against other benefits being cut by the Tories to howls of derision about how people shouldn’t have children they can’t afford and how healthy people feign illness and disability to claim benefits. It seems to me (although I haven’t cross-tabulated anyone’s posts) that there is overlap between those who are happy to see cuts in benefits when they apply to others and are Tory measures and those who complain bitterly when cuts do affect them and have been brought in by Labour. That’s what I am saying.

LizzieDrip

^This forum is of course an echo chamber of a particular demographic. It is certainly not representative of the country at large^

WW you can say that again!

Personally, I find this thread, and many current News & Politics threads, utterly depressing and soul destroying.

It’s impossible to conduct a rational debate in an echo chamber.

I hardly contribute any more now as I wouldn’t like to meet some of these people in real life - am happy to leave them, and their views, to each other.

No doubt, I’ll be criticised for saying this, and I suppose they wouldn’t like to meet me IRL either - fair enough🤷‍♀️

Yes it is soul destroying-so much bitterness, anger so I hope it isn’t representative.

If it had been the Tories knocking off the heating allowance I bet you would all have plenty to gripe about. Probably took lt anyway- even though you don’t agree with it & put in your back sack too sweet

Less than a month has passed since coming to power and this is their scant regard for the working class they should be looking after! SO just because we paid extra into the pension pot, and still paying for dentist, optician and other things we're penalised. Much longer and colder winters in the far north of Scotland and paying higher than the rest of the UK for our electric we're in for a cracking winter! Yet there is money for the rest of the world and illegal entry in to UK , charity begins at home. Disgusting nasty government!

Dianehillbilly1957

Less than a month has passed since coming to power and this is their scant regard for the working class they should be looking after! SO just because we paid extra into the pension pot, and still paying for dentist, optician and other things we're penalised. Much longer and colder winters in the far north of Scotland and paying higher than the rest of the UK for our electric we're in for a cracking winter! Yet there is money for the rest of the world and illegal entry in to UK , charity begins at home. Disgusting nasty government!

Spot on Dianehillbilly1957 and Mt61

I bet a lot of people on here who voted labour are now probably regretting it- they probably thought they were for the “little man “ protecting welfare/social care ..sadly not the case 😩

Agree 100% with several here who have posted about money flowing out of this country. I was disgusted when I heard in the king's speech that we are continuing to sub out Ukraine. Not to mention all the other recipients of foreign aid.

Better a £ in my pocket than in that of some corrupt foreign warlord.

Farzanah

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.

I've added the link Farzanah for the ageuk petition

www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-the-winter-fuel-payment/

next thing will be paying for prescriptions if over 60, unless on benefits. Mark my words

Dianehillbilly1957

Less than a month has passed since coming to power and this is their scant regard for the working class they should be looking after! SO just because we paid extra into the pension pot, and still paying for dentist, optician and other things we're penalised. Much longer and colder winters in the far north of Scotland and paying higher than the rest of the UK for our electric we're in for a cracking winter! Yet there is money for the rest of the world and illegal entry in to UK , charity begins at home. Disgusting nasty government!

The Scottish Government have yet to decide whether they will pay the WFP (which is being devolved in September).
Given their unpopularity they may decide to pay it (maybe with a reduction).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ngr3kndnxo.amp

karmalady

next thing will be paying for prescriptions if over 60, unless on benefits. Mark my words

For those of us that can afford it, I see no problem, although I think the payment cut off should be well above PC level.

I have said before and will say again, I think all these government funded concessions should be axed and replaced by a big rise in PC level to compensate. While we have all thse bells and whistles, they are, as we are finding out, vulnerable to being removed. if they were consolidated into PC and we paid up front this would not be possible.

6 JANUARY 2024
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the cost of living crisis has left her “increasingly short” financially, despite her £86,000 a year salary.

The Labour MP has said she “winces” at her bank balance each month with her mortgage, gas, electricity and food bills all adding up.
“What makes me wince is when I look at my bank statement and I find that the money coming in is increasingly short of the money going out,” she told GB News
(Evening Standard Newspaper)

What a hypocrite she is

Yet there is money for the rest of the world and illegal entry in to UK , charity begins at home. Disgusting nasty government

This>

biglouis

*Yet there is money for the rest of the world and illegal entry in to UK , charity begins at home. Disgusting nasty government*

This>

AGREE. 100%

LABOUR THE NEW NASTY PARTY.

Happilyretired123

Well said Doodledog!

It is definitely not representative of my friends and family (of any age or income group).

I hadn't realised just how far apart the two groups are until people on here began to realise that they stand to lose money under a Labour government instead of the poor losing money under the Tories. At that point the tone completely changed. People openly boasting about protecting their assets, horrified at the thought of millionaires losing a few pounds and so on in the most unpleasant manner imaginable.

And yes, I know that the withdrawal of the WFA will affect those without money more than those with it, but I find it ironic that it is the very people who supported Tory cuts to benefits who are complaining about this, before we have even heard the budget. It's easy to think it is just Labour-bashing, as it is so dissonant.

I hadn't realised just how far apart the two groups are until people on here began to realise that they stand to lose money under a Labour government instead of the poor losing money under the Tories

I think you are generalising which is unfair on the majority of posters on here who are saying nothing of the kind.

Prescriptions are highly likely to be next and those with long term issues can get an annual exemption. Giving benefits to those that don’t need it is very wasteful, it’s about protecting the vulnerable not gifting the well off.

My broadband is due for renewal BT originally wanted £400 a year and no landline, add to that Mobile contract £300/yr, I will renew at lower cost but not much less.

The cost of technology is far too high, it makes life convenient but at a price.