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

I disagree entirely with posters who have complained about the UK sending money/arms/ aid to Ukraine. We stop doing this at our peril. Ukraine are fighting a war for Europe. I won’t elaborate further because this isn’t the thread about Ukraine, but am just countering those arguments.

I find it interesting that MPs receive a winter heating allowance. Why? Oh yes, that would be to heat the second home bought and paid for by the tax payer. I don’t know the amount but it was mooted upthread that it is in the region of £3000+. It’s interesting that Reeves left that in place.

GrannyGravy13

Merion

The Conservatives were planning to do it. Read the thread.

But they didn’t.

…Because they lost power. Contentious policies are always implemented by any government at the beginning of their five year term.

Merion the Conservatives were planning to cap the cost of social care in October 2025 - Dilnot is very disappointed.
This thread is very long so an accurate description of the particular post is appreciated.

Merion

The Conservatives were planning to do it. Read the thread.

But they didn’t.

The Conservatives were planning to do it. Read the thread.

Imagine the outrage if the Conservatives had done this!! Every vile name would have been thrown around.

I have been scathing about the Tories and they deserved it. Labour are not exempt from bouts of political incompetence and I think the WFA decision is a mistake for two reasons: it deprives pensioners near the poverty line of heating in the coming winter and it opens the door to a raft of Telegraph/Mail etc., wild speculation about other potential cuts affecting the elderly.

Nicenanny3

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*

If my memory serves me right Rachel Reeves husband is a high grade civil servant earning £110,000…

Doodledog there may be a few posters as you describe but the vast majority here are shocked that a Labour government are doing this.I think and hope that this government will put some really good policies in place but this one, WFA cut is a very bad move.

David49

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.

Who do you class as well off? If free prescriptions are only there for those pensioners who receive benefits then a whole load of pensioners who are just over the threshold will also have to pay, and believe me they are not well off.
If all the extras are to be taken away from pensioners then the state pension should be increased.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This>

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

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.

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

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

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/

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.

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 😩

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

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!