Governments First Budget

The waiting list for dermatology here is horrendous

Here too.
I have been told 1 year wait.

I was told by someone today[can you guess that I speak to all and sundry when I am out], that her grandson, age 15, nearly 16, has a two year wait for mental health services.
Which will ironically and sadly mean, that by the time he gets to the top of the NHS waiting list, he will no longer be under child services, and will be under adult mental health services.

^Of course I am interested in hearing from farmers about how this matters to them, but as with moans about means-testing the WFP from people who can still buy clothes from Joules or holiday in second homes abroad it is just white noise.

^

But how do you know who is who?
But I take your point.

Casdon

Unfortunately the nature of farming is that there’s always one plight or another - taxes, IHT, weather, livestock and crop disease, land prices, food prices, competition from abroad etc. etc. I’m not being critical when I say this, but I’ve never heard a farmer say there’s been a year without major challenges.

That is true - and considering they are doing something as vital as producing food it would be nice if the government acknowledged the difficulties and supported them rather than adding to their worries. There is already a distressing rise in the numbers of farmers taking their own lives.

Listening to info about the proposed withdrawal of WFA I discovered that Labour, when in opposition, had estimated that over 300K deaths would result from that withdrawal. What has suddenly changed now they are in power?

I’m sure if I look at the ONS site I’ll discover that a new way of making the calculation has been brought out.

fancythat

^Of course I am interested in hearing from farmers about how this matters to them, but as with moans about means-testing the WFP from people who can still buy clothes from Joules or holiday in second homes abroad it is just white noise.

^

But how do you know who is who?
But I take your point.

Without knowing if those complaining about losing the WFA are the same people who buy from Joules or have second homes abroad that statement is just white noise.

Mollygo

Listening to info about the proposed withdrawal of WFA I discovered that Labour, when in opposition, had estimated that over 300K deaths would result from that withdrawal. What has suddenly changed now they are in power?

I’m sure if I look at the ONS site I’ll discover that a new way of making the calculation has been brought out.

Presumably the sudden realisation of just how much 300,000 pensions actually cost per annum.

👍🏻

Presumably the sudden realisation of just how much 300,000 pensions actually cost per annum

Yes but how could it be criticised by the LP in opposition, yet carried out once they are in power?

1.4 million pensioners receive Pension Credit and will continue to receive the WFP. Does the 1.4 million include the 300,000 whom the Labour Party forecast would die?

Ask the Labour Party. They’re the ones who will know whether it does or not. If they thought it would do that much damage in opposition back then under Corbyn and again under Starmer . . .
And of course it may well include all those who need, but don’t apply for pension credit so don’t get the WFA and those on the cusp who don’t get it anyway.
Not a problem for KS etc. as it won’t affect them.

I just cannot understand why people don’t apply for pension credit, if they may be able eligible. Age Concern will help people with the application process if necessary - it’s actually not as difficult as people think.

Also, for those struggling ‘on the cusp’ councils and many energy providers have ‘warm home discounts’ that they may be eligible for.

Mollygo

Ask the Labour Party. They’re the ones who will know whether it does or not. If they thought it would do that much damage in opposition back then under Corbyn and again under Starmer . . .
And of course it may well include all those who need, but don’t apply for pension credit so don’t get the WFA and those on the cusp who don’t get it anyway.
Not a problem for KS etc. as it won’t affect them.

I would have thought it did, which is why they stated that those in receipt of Pension Credit would still receive WFP.

PS. As I've written in the past, I'm "on the cusp" and I'm not going to die from the cold this winter.

PPS. I'm not happy about it, but I do wish there were less hyperbole.

From AGE CONCERN UK regarding Pension Credit:

“We're here to help!

We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs”

LizzieDrip

I just cannot understand why people don’t apply for pension credit, if they may be able eligible. Age Concern will help people with the application process if necessary - it’s actually not as difficult as people think.

Also, for those struggling ‘on the cusp’ councils and many energy providers have ‘warm home discounts’ that they may be eligible for.

And there aren't 240 questions which need to be answered. I've looked at the form and most of them aren't applicable.

Exactly growstuff.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for all those who profess to care about the plight of struggling pensioners to actually do something positive for them, rather than scaring them with hyperbole.

I suppose those who are computer literate may not understand that others who are not, may not even be aware or able to access the information to apply for such benefits.

11.9m people (22% of the population) do not have the digital skills needed for everyday life in the UK

Some sections of the population are more likely to be digitally excluded than others. These are:

older people
people in lower income groups
people without a job
people in social housing
people with disabilities
people with fewer educational qualifications excluded left school before 16
people living in rural areas
homeless people
people whose first language is not English

NHS Digital.

These are the very people who may need help.

LizzieDrip

Exactly growstuff.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for all those who profess to care about the plight of struggling pensioners to actually do something positive for them, rather than scaring them with hyperbole.

Are you looking out for any elderly neighbours?

Our neighbours are very good and look out for us.

Yes Allira, I advocate for an elderly neighbour.

I realise that some (not all) elderly people are not computer literate, which is why those of us who are should advocate not frighten!

Oh good! Well done.

🙂

Sorry, I'm away, so this might have already been mentioned, but the Independent Schools Council is taking on the government over its 20% vat policy. Well, not exactly the ISC, but their top legal firm Kingsley Napley.

I think the gist of the case will be to do with breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights Act.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for all those who profess to care about the plight of struggling pensioners to actually do something positive for them, rather than scaring them with hyperbole.

How do you know that those who' profess to care about struggling pensioners' are not helping the elderly. Do you have experience of attempting to help and being rigorously rejected; 'we can manage and don't need your help.' Unless there is Power of Attorney even next of kin are powerless.

rather than scaring them with hyperbole

If they are not computer literate then they are very unlikely to be scared by anything posted on Gransnet.

GrannyGravy13

Bill Gates and Larry Fink visit Starmer and Reeves days ago.

Gates and Finks are massive buyers of agricultural land…

I've signed a petition in support of the farmers. When we have individuals such as Bill Gates and Larry Fink, Black Rock, the largest multinational investment management corporation in the world with more than $10 trillion in assets, buying up vast swathes of agricultural land we need to have some concern. Black Rock were the instigators of the "ESG", that most companies have adopted, why we need a feckin' dubious hedge fund to be arbiter of people' s morals and ultimately have a far reach into what we consume via their buying out the independent farmers we need questions regarding the motives of those who are trying to shape the world and for what end.

eazybee

^Perhaps it would be a good idea for all those who profess to care about the plight of struggling pensioners to actually do something positive for them, rather than scaring them with hyperbole.^

How do you know that those who' profess to care about struggling pensioners' are not helping the elderly. Do you have experience of attempting to help and being rigorously rejected; 'we can manage and don't need your help.' Unless there is Power of Attorney even next of kin are powerless.

Have dealt with some of those you mention. Claiming benefits is still seen as shameful to some. They weren’t brought up in a time of claim as many expenses as you can even if you don’t actually need them.
l