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

Unfortunately, there are a huge number of pensioners who are on a lower income than those on pension credit and they will no longer be eligible for the winter payment.

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.

However there is only one cake and slicing it up is always going to mean some with a smaller slice than others

We are constantly told that that is not how it works.

Not to all and sundry

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

Grannynannywanny

Pension credit is awarded to those whose pension falls short of the new state pension to top it up. Those who are in receipt of full new state pension do not qualify for pension credit even if that is their sole income.

That is what I understand.

They didn’t know the state of the finances, and the OBR have just announced an enquiry into whether Sunak and Hunt ‘misled’ them about this.

There are some swingeing cuts in there, (including making sure that departments absorb at least £3.2 billion of the public sector pay pressure this year) which are (no matter how they are labelled ‘efficiency savings’ or ‘communications costs’ going to impact on services.

What is infuriating is that the type of cuts she’s announcing today are only necessary because of her self-imposed, pretend the country has to budget like a household, ‘rules’

And, of course, because the last government tried to buy their way to an election victory on top of years of fiscal incompetence and fraud. . I am angry with Labour, but incandescent with fury about the damn Tories.

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.

Pension credit is awarded to those whose pension falls short of the new state pension to top it up. Those who are in receipt of full new state pension do not qualify for pension credit even if that is their sole income.

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.

Ladyleftfieldlover

I honestly think Rachel Reeves is genuinely very annoyed at the state of the country’s finances. I don’t think you can say that Labour don’t like pensioners! I’m sorry that some GNs will suffer because of the decision on fuel allowance being limited to those on various benefits. Sadly there has to be a line drawn and there will always be people caught just in the wrong place. Don’t despise Labour yet.

Liam Byrne left that note: ‘I’m afraid there is no money’ and when this has been mentioned on GN posters have been told that the economy does not work like that, it is not like a household budget and that the Government can create money for the building of infrastructure which will in turn stimulate the economy. Tax does not fund spending, so we are told.

Now we've been told we're over-drawn (like having a huge over-draft on the household budget) and have to tighten our belts because the Government can't afford anything.

The chancellor laid blame for her decisions on the previous government, accusing the Conservatives of having "let people down" by making "commitment after commitment without knowing where the money was going to come from"

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

What am I missing, please?

LOUISA1523

My DP would have been getting it this year....he's just turned 66 ....so guess he will never miss what he never had .....I've just got a 5.5 % payrise as a nurse...bit harsh tho ....especially for all those who only just tip over with teeny pensions .... my mum is 88 ....she will be raging .....I will hear it all tonight when she calls me

Am surprised my Mum hasn’t already rung me! It won’t be long now…
We don’t have much ourselves but will have to help her out with her bill now in Winter.

Well it's "be careful what you wish for", they were voted in so we have to put up with it.
I'm sorry it's going to effect those just under the Credit limit.
Am I surprised?.. No!
it will be the Tripple Lock next?
They knew well before the election the state of the finances, but they will just spin the facts, that it was a total surprise.

I agree if the Conservative Government had announced this, it would have be all hell.

One of the effects of this change should be to increase uptake so that those who are eligible for pension credit actually claim it. Take-up is only 63%, which suggests that the campaigns haven’t worked. Pensioners either don’t know about the benefit, or don’t realise they are eligible, or struggle with the perceived stigma of being seen to claim it.

There are more people who receive winter fuel allowance when they don’t need it than there are who do need it but aren’t on pension credit. Increasing uptake of pension credit by 47% would make a big difference to many.

AGAA4

I did say we shouldn't laugh at Angela's trousers 😀

Welcome bit of humour there😁

This is not how a Labour party should behave. Thank goodness Reeves wasn't chancellor after World War 11, we wouldn't have the NHS. She would have said we couldn't afford it. No vision, no new ideas, just carrying on with austerity, which didn't work for Cameron and Osborne and wont work now.

Nicenanny3

They are cancelling the Care Cap now it was £86, 000 the most you had to pay if you sold your house, now they will take the lot.

Labour showing their true colours now.

Expect it will be the Triple Lock next that will be cancelled. Aren't you glad you voted for them 😠

Do stop lying.

This did not exist because the Tories proposed it to start from October 3023, and then deferred it until 2025 at the earliest.

I suppose pensioners are a soft target for a woman like Reeves.

GrannyGravy13

If this had been proposed and put into practice by the Conservatives all hell would have broken lose on GN, just saying…

As I said, I think we have a rather right-wing Tory government!

How did that happen? 🤔

Sparklefizz

^The advice of downsizing really doesn’t work if you are renting or cannot afford Estate Agent fees and all the costs involved in moving house!!!^

Or, like me, you're not well enough to cope with the upheaval of moving house.

Or just past it .....

I thought Labour were going after the mega rich. They are starting with the easiest target who they feel don’t vote for them in enough numbers.

Presumably railways are still being renationalised? At what cost?

The advice of downsizing really doesn’t work if you are renting or cannot afford Estate Agent fees and all the costs involved in moving house!!!

Or, like me, you're not well enough to cope with the upheaval of moving house.

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?

There were coffee shops, community centres, churches etc offering warm spaces last winter, often with donated cakes, buns, bread etc from local supermarkets.
warmspaces.org/

dental care
In urgent need of attention!

Nicenanny3

Nevermind we are giving 86 million to Africa.

Or the Tories giving upwards of £250 million to Rwanda.

For many the Winter Fuel payment was just a bonus, not really needed and some did donate it to a charity. As with the Christmas £10.
Unfortunately with most benefits there will be a cut off and those above will feel aggrieved.
My hope is that further down the line money will be found to help those in need of health care, dental care, decent public services and to reduce bills.

AGAA4

I didn't vote Labour and I'm not surprised by this. I, too, believe the triple lock will go under labour. They are going after pensioners.

One last triple lock....then done im guessing