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

crazyH

I personally think that the Winter Fuel Payment should be paid to those on a low income. I agree with Rachel Reeves, and with the OP

Yes course you do, you can probably afford it. I will now lose mine as I get the new state pension, minus a small amount, because I get a occ pen. I am not a wealthy pensioner but I jog along. The WFA allowance was welcome.
There are alot of Jack's on here, wealthy and can afford to lose it. I have osteo arthritis although I get around OK, it is worse in the cold so I put my heating on. The allowance helps.
My sympathy goes to the people that are just above the limit for pension credit.

ronib

I bought the Dummies Guide to economics and I am still a dummy ….

Same here ronib

cloughdancer excellent points 👍

😁

I do wonder if it would be possible for the government to differentiate between pensioners like me, who own their house outright and can manage on a state pension, and others who are paying rent and mortgage repayments? It must make a huge difference!

Also although I have chronic health conditions, I am able to keep warm in winter by wearing extra clothes/electric blankets/hot water bottles. I know people who cannot and therefore are dependent on heating, and I'm sure there are many on Gransnet in the same boat.

I bought the Dummies Guide to economics and I am still a dummy ….

Oh, ok, thanks.

Callistemon213

I feel as if I've fallen down a rabbit hole, GrannyGravy

Where is MaizieD to come and explain it all?
I need a Dummies Guide to the Economy because I'm missing something somewhere.

Callistemon213 MaizieD had a very busy weekend - dressage event with her daughter. Then out in the evening ….

Not dressing her daughter you understand …..

I’m pretty sure that a lot of people on here have said over the years that it’s wrong that the winter fuel payment is given to everyone and many people don’t need it. Hopefully there will be an advertising campaign pointing out that many people don’t realise they are eligible for pension credit?

somerset council are talking about council tax rises including doing away with the likes of single person discount. Tough times ahead

I feel as if I've fallen down a rabbit hole, GrannyGravy

Where is MaizieD to come and explain it all?
I need a Dummies Guide to the Economy because I'm missing something somewhere.

That’s nice of them can’t remember that being in their manifesto. This would have been the first year we would have received something as my DH reached retirement this January.

“But if the Government can create money which in turn stimulates the economy, what is the problem?”

What am I missing, please?.

For over 20 years the economy has not been stimulated we have increased our borrowing/creation year by year, there have been too many give aways and too little growth.

Reeves does not want to increase borrowing if at all possible so it’s going to be benefit/service cuts AND tax rises.
In my opinion it’s long overdue but it’s going to be very unpopular

karmalady

I understood that only people on benefits will keep it

Only pensioners receiving pension credit will keep it. As with TV licenses.

HattieTopper

What can we do. just hope for the best and hope we don't die of cold or starve. What is annoying is that I have to pay to see a private dentist as there are no NHS ones anywhere. I pay for everything, gardeners, diy people, something will have to go. All because my wonderful late husband ensured I would have a portion of his private pension when he died, if I hadn't go that I could claim for everything going. I think I will get someone to take me to France and come back in a rubber boat.

And me. Private pensions often create more problems than they solve.🤷‍♀️

Sorry, that was 20/9/33

Looking to the future, there is a substantial opportunity cost of the UK not investing properly in infrastructure even if the era of ultra-low borrowing costs has now come to an end.

..... local, regional and national infrastructure is perhaps the main driver of long-run economic growth. Tired and degraded infrastructure holds back productivity growth, drives business costs higher and ultimately raises prices for consumers.

www.tutor2u.net/economics/blog/the-uks-infrastructure-woes

Labour has been mocking and deriding the slowness of the Conservative new Hospitals building projects.

Labour have just cancelled them

New road infrastructure’s Labour have just cancelled them

These projects would have provided employment, people in employment pay taxes to Government and spend their earned income in the economy, ergo more money back to the government.

Labour have just made their own black hole in the economy grow as opposed to their election mantra of grow the economy 👏👏👏

I understood that only people on benefits will keep it

Tory scum stole all the money.

Well, I’ve lost mine (not in receipt of PC), which is a pain. I waited 6 extra years for my pension…☹️.

But, I’m sure I’ll survive one way or another. I just wish governments would stop wasting so much money.🙄

This, of course, does not apply to Scotland, as it’s devolved.

I’ve been to check read the Service Level Agreement for this (signed in January this year) and it can only be changed or cancelled by the mutual consent of Westminster and Holyrood.

I imagine, if Labour replace the SNP in two years time, they’ll amend it to level down with England and, I believe, Wales.

LOUISA1523

Gin

I do understand that this will be a big blow to those just above the Pension Credit threshold and are feeling very distressed. However there is only one cake and slicing it up is always going to mean some with a smaller slice than others. Money has to be spent on healthcare as the health service is on its knees. Education is screaming for more, our defences are very depleted and we have to help poorer nations not only for philanthropic reasons but for our economy too.

I have little knowledge of economics but do understand our government has to fill the big hole left in our financial situation and unfortunatelly unpopular decisions are necessary. We all look to our own circumstances and not the wider picture.

Not trying to be goady....but do you say this as someone who will be affected as you have just above the threshold? .....or are you quite comfortable and it won't make much of a difference to you?

That is not how the economy works as far as I understand from explanations by those who know far more than me about it.

crazyH

Not to all and sundry

Ah but who are all and sundry? ....some of these have just over the threshold but are then not eligible for free glasses and dental care ( amongst other things) ....and so end up with less than those who are entitled

Gin

I do understand that this will be a big blow to those just above the Pension Credit threshold and are feeling very distressed. However there is only one cake and slicing it up is always going to mean some with a smaller slice than others. Money has to be spent on healthcare as the health service is on its knees. Education is screaming for more, our defences are very depleted and we have to help poorer nations not only for philanthropic reasons but for our economy too.

I have little knowledge of economics but do understand our government has to fill the big hole left in our financial situation and unfortunatelly unpopular decisions are necessary. We all look to our own circumstances and not the wider picture.

Not trying to be goady....but do you say this as someone who will be affected as you have just above the threshold? .....or are you quite comfortable and it won't make much of a difference to you?