But does he really 'understand'?

GrannyGravy13

I watched him being interviewed on GMB by Susanna Reid this morning, hats off to Sir Starmer, in 10 minutes he managed to get in £22 million black hole 9 times, stabilising the economy 11 times.

He did refuse to apologise regarding removing the WFA.

He did say all pensioners are getting a £440 increase in their pensions next year, which is incorrect only this born after 1953 and on the new state pension will receive that amount others a lot less.

I haven’t seen the interview, although I’ll make an effort to do so, but I suspect he will have used the phrase up to £440 or whatever the amount mentioned was.

We will never know whether the discrepancy in the amount older pensioners receive was mentioned in discussion about the increase, or if that’s one of the things Starmer understands about it, but I will be very surprised if every pensioner gets the same amount.

If they do, there will be immediate outcry on GN on how unfair that is.

He definitely didn’t say up to as after the interview this point was discussed in detail about him being at worst incorrect at best misleading.

The increase for 2025/26 is 4%, so depending on how much your state pension is determines your increase.

It might not be either of those things, if one of the ways of reducing pensioner poverty in the budget is to uplift all pensioners by the same amount. That would be a very sensible step if pension inequality is to be addressed. Let’s hope that’s what happens.

Casdon

It might not be either of those things, if one of the ways of reducing pensioner poverty in the budget is to uplift all pensioners by the same amount. That would be a very sensible step if pension inequality is to be addressed. Let’s hope that’s what happens.

Equalising pensions would simplify the system and remove the need for pension credits which if you are on the new state pension you are not eligible for.

Doodledog

Dear God. Is there any tiny thing he does that isn’t pulled apart?

I guess it’s thinking time. A lot of politicians say ‘look’ before addressing any point. To me that sounds like a particular type of teacher, but again I assume it’s the same sort of thing.

Of course not haha

It’s quite funny really as during the previous govt us GNs were constantly being accused of being very “left leaning”

Doesn’t actually seem to be the case, it’s pretty much equal.

I know the WFA is very unpopular, and in some ways rightly so, but we are in danger of letting it overshadow absolutely everything else.

In terms of buying a moment to think about an answer and how to “stage” it, I think it’s pretty much normal for anyone.

I still support my vote for the LP, it doesn’t mean I agree with all that’s happening and I do wish the media could report on all the things they are doing, good and bad, popular and unpopular.

For myself, I’m giving them time to see.

kittylester

*Doodledog*, it is particularly annoying to me and I haven't said anything else about KS. I presume I am allowed to mention it.

You are 'allowed' to do what you like, but equally, others (including me) are allowed to point out when doing so is petty.

kittylester

And another thing - not just Keir Starmer - why is it called 'conference' not our, the or any thing else.

At the risk of shouts of "Prejudice!" I imagine it reflects Labour's Northern roots.

Witzend

IMO it’s just one of those phrases they use, like ‘Let me be absolutely clear…’ 😩

Usually followed by 100% obfuscation

GrannyGravy13

Casdon

It might not be either of those things, if one of the ways of reducing pensioner poverty in the budget is to uplift all pensioners by the same amount. That would be a very sensible step if pension inequality is to be addressed. Let’s hope that’s what happens.

Equalising pensions would simplify the system and remove the need for pension credits which if you are on the new state pension you are not eligible for.

Even though those of us on the new state pension have had to wait up to an additional six years to receive it? Not only that, but we've been penalised for the time we were "opted out" and lost any SERPs entitlement. As you say, most recipients of the new state pension aren't eligible for Pension Credit either.

GrannyGravy13

I watched him being interviewed on GMB by Susanna Reid this morning, hats off to Sir Starmer, in 10 minutes he managed to get in £22 million black hole 9 times, stabilising the economy 11 times.

He did refuse to apologise regarding removing the WFA.

He did say all pensioners are getting a £440 increase in their pensions next year, which is incorrect only this born after 1953 and on the new state pension will receive that amount others a lot less.

Do people on the old pension get a percentage of all their pension when there is a rise, or just the basic bit?

As has been pointed out on here before, those on the old pension who were able to pay into SERPS, who get widows' pensions etc can get a lot more than the new pension. It is not the case that everyone on the old pension is worse off than everyone on the new one. Many on the new pension don't get the headline rate either, so a percentage rise will be less for them, too.

I realise that there has to be some baseline for quoting rises, but the assumption that all pensioners get the same (whether on old or new pensions) is misleading, whatever it is intended to suggest.

If you want to watch an interview without "media training" watch the car crash interview with Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis.

Its a bit like when you fill in a PIP or DLA form. The wording of the form gives you a broad hint of how to answer. The way in which Emily Mathis framed the questions would have given a media saavy person a framework within which to answer.

For example "Do you now regret your friendship with Mr Epstein." Which was his cue to say that in hindsight he realised he had been naive and foolish etc. However as he was not media saavy and had not been trained he answered guilelessly. And we know the rest.

As posters upthread have pointed out politicos are trained by their PA staff to utilise conversational pauses to give them time to think, rather than producing an awkward silence.Tony Blair (much as I despise tha man) was a past master at this kind of thing. Two Tier Kier needs practice.

Does he understand that £440 a year is £8.49 a week not much you can get for that these days It will be swallowed up in price rises and we won’t see any benefit from it at all.Why doesn’t,t HE volunteer to live on a state pension for a year ….no freebies no subsidies no expenses and see how he would spend that £8.49 a week .It would be very interesting to see.Isn,t it his JOb to work FOR us not fill his own pockets?

GrannyGravy13

I watched him being interviewed on GMB by Susanna Reid this morning, hats off to Sir Starmer, in 10 minutes he managed to get in £22 million black hole 9 times, stabilising the economy 11 times.

He did refuse to apologise regarding removing the WFA.

He did say all pensioners are getting a £440 increase in their pensions next year, which is incorrect only this born after 1953 and on the new state pension will receive that amount others a lot less.

So he lies.

There have been Gransnetters claiming that pensioners are receiving £900 per year recently. Along with some politicians. I have no idea where that figure has come from, but certainly other Gransnetters were quick to point out the mistake.
(No, I can’t remember who said it or even which thread, possibly a thread about pensions a couple of weeks ago.)

keepingquiet

When you know every single thing is being read and interpreted by others seeking to catch you out, is it any wonder there might be some 'filling' before giving your answer. Seems even a momentary silence can be damning.
Give the man a break.

I honestly can’t believe that, clicking onto gransnet there is yet another thread criticising the PM. And I’m sure that, as I write this, someone somewhere is thinking up another one.

I honestly can’t believe that, clicking onto gransnet there is yet another thread criticising the PM. And I’m sure that, as I write this, someone somewhere is thinking up another one

Well the record of Sir Kier (emperor's new clothes) Starmer and his little band has had quite a few monumental cock ups so far.

biglouis

*I honestly can’t believe that, clicking onto gransnet there is yet another thread criticising the PM. And I’m sure that, as I write this, someone somewhere is thinking up another one*

Well the record of Sir Kier (emperor's new clothes) Starmer and his little band has had quite a few monumental cock ups so far.

Something tells me you don't like Starmer

paddyann54

Does he understand that £440 a year is £8.49 a week not much you can get for that these days It will be swallowed up in price rises and we won’t see any benefit from it at all.Why doesn’t,t HE volunteer to live on a state pension for a year ….no freebies no subsidies no expenses and see how he would spend that £8.49 a week .It would be very interesting to see.Isn,t it his JOb to work FOR us not fill his own pockets?

Pension increases aren't supposed to be an increase. They're only supposed to cover inflationary price rises.

Doodledog

GrannyGravy13

I watched him being interviewed on GMB by Susanna Reid this morning, hats off to Sir Starmer, in 10 minutes he managed to get in £22 million black hole 9 times, stabilising the economy 11 times.

He did refuse to apologise regarding removing the WFA.

He did say all pensioners are getting a £440 increase in their pensions next year, which is incorrect only this born after 1953 and on the new state pension will receive that amount others a lot less.

Do people on the old pension get a percentage of all their pension when there is a rise, or just the basic bit?

As has been pointed out on here before, those on the old pension who were able to pay into SERPS, who get widows' pensions etc can get a lot more than the new pension. It is not the case that everyone on the old pension is worse off than everyone on the new one. Many on the new pension don't get the headline rate either, so a percentage rise will be less for them, too.

I realise that there has to be some baseline for quoting rises, but the assumption that all pensioners get the same (whether on old or new pensions) is misleading, whatever it is intended to suggest.

Very true! Despite 47 years of contributions, I don't receive the full new state pension (most "new" state pensioners don't either). I have three occupational pensions. One isn't index linked at all and the other two are linked to inflation, but not triple locked. Those in receipt of the old state pension aren't penalised for having opted out.

PS. Life's too short for envy - I just get on with the time I have left and have stopped bothering about what everybody else gets.

You are 'allowed' to do what you like, but equally, others (including me) are allowed to point out when doing so is petty

But everyone says it now.

Doodledog

kittylester

Doodledog, it is particularly annoying to me and I haven't said anything else about KS. I presume I am allowed to mention it.

You are 'allowed' to do what you like, but equally, others (including me) are allowed to point out when doing so is petty.

Petty in your own view of course.

RosiesMaw2

kittylester

And another thing - not just Keir Starmer - why is it called 'conference' not our, the or any thing else.

At the risk of shouts of "Prejudice!" I imagine it reflects Labour's Northern roots.

🤣
Wouldn’t it have been t’Conference in that case?

“Those in receipt of the old state pension aren't penalised for having opted out.“

Not true Growstuff - Mr PG (retired 2014) had contracted out for a number of years and was penalised accordingly! However his high salary ensured that he paid enough SERPS which means he has a higher SP than me.

Also, like you I’m one of the first 1955 batch having to wait til 66th birthday 🤬

Oreo

RosiesMaw2

kittylester

And another thing - not just Keir Starmer - why is it called 'conference' not our, the or any thing else.

At the risk of shouts of "Prejudice!" I imagine it reflects Labour's Northern roots.

🤣
Wouldn’t it have been t’Conference in that case?

Tha’s not wrong there, lass
Just off up’t mill….