Aiming to be Christmas No.1

Well, I would think if your income is about £1,000 per month, by the time rent, Council tax, water rates etc are paid, plus other bills which may occur, you must be a very careful manager indeed to keep warm and well-fed.

Washing machine breaks down? Cooker stops working? Boiler needs a service (essential)
Can't afford to run a car? - fine if you live on a bus route with a good bus service.

I don't expect people to have empathy, it's not inherent in everyone, of course.
However, I can see how some will struggle and I feel for them.

GrannyGravy13

BlueBelle are you not aware of the 1,000’s of pensioners who are just £1 over the pension credit limit?

Age U.K. and many other charities are concerned about this, are they just after publicity ?

Seemingly uncaring. Can't bash this uncaring Gov, can we.

Freya5

GrannyGravy13

BlueBelle are you not aware of the 1,000’s of pensioners who are just £1 over the pension credit limit?

Age U.K. and many other charities are concerned about this, are they just after publicity ?

Seemingly uncaring. Can't bash this uncaring Gov, can we.

Agreeing with you Grannygravy.

Freya5

GrannyGravy13

BlueBelle are you not aware of the 1,000’s of pensioners who are just £1 over the pension credit limit?

Age U.K. and many other charities are concerned about this, are they just after publicity ?

Seemingly uncaring. Can't bash this uncaring Gov, can we.

If Labour had awarded this WFA and the Tories had taken this away, oh, by golly, I'd bet there's be some 🤬 on threads!!

No axe to grind here but I'm finding it quite interesting, sitting on the fence.

I assume the whining about inheritance tax was directed at me, I do not whine I have an opinion!

(I am totally against inheritance tax at its current level, it should be increased to £2,000,000 and then go up by percentages it a straight 40%)

Having money in my bank does not make me any less empathetic to those who are less fortunate.

I would have thought that fellow pensioners would fight for those pensioners less fortunate than them, but hey ho every day on GN is a school day…

This is my choice for Christmas Number 1. It brought tears to my eyes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0gcODAPNmk

I love the government advert asking people to advise their parents to apply for pension credit. I can’t find a link to it but I really relate to it. Looking back over the years all governments have pushed pension credit to get eligible people to claim. Going back to the OP, when I had a sort out of my cd’s the other day I found two copies on Mad World when both me and my son wanted to make it that years no 1 ( we loved the film Donnie Darko). Only time I’ve ever bought a Christmas single…oh, hang on I think there’s a Do They Know it’s Christmas single with it.

My choice too Casdon.

I would have thought that fellow pensioners would fight for those pensioners less fortunate than them

I have fought and continue to fight for people. I see those at a community project, genuinly hungry. Teenagers shamefaced turning up for a hot meal, small children devouring sandwiches , people who haven't spoken to another human being all week. So no, I won't be buying a song which is aimed at yet another pop at the government.

Casdon

This is my choice for Christmas Number 1. It brought tears to my eyes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0gcODAPNmk

Oh Casdon - I don't think I've ever seen the Marsh family better than this. Just so beautiful.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

Cossy I also do not agree with the speed of removal or the level it was set at.

keepingquiet I am pleased that you are able to heat your home and eat however, I am mindful that 1,000’s of pensioners are not as fortunate.

I am in a similar position to keepingquiet and I won't be starving or freezing either. If I had £13 less a week, I could claim Pension Credit, so I am certainly not an 'I'm alright Jack'.

How will the profit from this song be distributed and to whom?

Everybody has different outgoings growstuff and different needs too.
One person may manage and another not able to.£300 can really help.

Allira

Freya5

GrannyGravy13

BlueBelle are you not aware of the 1,000’s of pensioners who are just £1 over the pension credit limit?

Age U.K. and many other charities are concerned about this, are they just after publicity ?

Seemingly uncaring. Can't bash this uncaring Gov, can we.

If Labour had awarded this WFA and the Tories had taken this away, oh, by golly, I'd bet there's be some 🤬 on threads!!

No axe to grind here but I'm finding it quite interesting, sitting on the fence.

As a Labour voter I’m ashamed of this government for doing this.
As you say, if the Tories had done it there would be hell to pay.

Jeanathome

*I would have thought that fellow pensioners would fight for those pensioners less fortunate than them*

I have fought and continue to fight for people. I see those at a community project, genuinly hungry. Teenagers shamefaced turning up for a hot meal, small children devouring sandwiches , people who haven't spoken to another human being all week. So no, I won't be buying a song which is aimed at yet another pop at the government.

You see the song as a pop at the Government

I see it as a fund raiser for Age U.K. (which it is) that is gaining attention…

The song has evolved into a symbol of public protest against Government policies

There you go! From GB news.

It's not some kindly attempt to fund raise for Age UK.

I’ve listened to both the songs. Obviously the Labour supporters on here are not going to like the one about pensioners keeping warm at Christmas. It takes a direct pop at Starmer.
Fair enough. He removed the WFA and some very old people are going to suffer as a result.
Go to the top of the class Starmer. Well done you. You picked on the poorest pensioners and a lot of people don’t like it. Even if some Gransnetters do!

Public protest are the key words, and show that just about everyone thinks that this policy is a stinker.
Therefore why not highlight that fact and raise money for Age UK at the same time.

Jeanathome

*The song has evolved into a symbol of public protest against Government policies*

There you go! From GB news.

It's not some kindly attempt to fund raise for Age UK.

Disagree all you like the song is raising money for Age U.K.

GB News has also raised money for pensioners in poverty due to the withdrawal of the WFA to be distributed by charities.

It's all very difficult. I have heard and read and personally know so many pensioners who say they'd rather not have the WFA and feel embarrassed by it. When I was growing up, and certainly up until the 1980's, the archetypal image of a pensioner was someone frail and on the poverty line, freezing to death whilst eating tinned sardines by candle light. Then the pension deregulation under Thatcher happened, along with the council house sell off (affording massive profits to the purchasers) and the general explosion and ever increasing value of houses. All of this created a generation of now pensioners who would not recognise let alone fit the old stereotypes. In fact, many pensioners (boomers if you like) are amongst the most comfortably off people in the country. For this reason the blanket WFA has been questioned and debated over many years. I've no idea what the answer is however as to sort out those in genuine need would be an administrative and expensive nightmare. What to do? Just to add, I have no doubt the Tories would've also brought this in and are heaving a sigh of relief that they won't get the blame.

GrannyGravy13

Jeanathome

The song has evolved into a symbol of public protest against Government policies

There you go! From GB news.

It's not some kindly attempt to fund raise for Age UK.

Disagree all you like the song is raising money for Age U.K.

GB News has also raised money for pensioners in poverty due to the withdrawal of the WFA to be distributed by charities.

Thank you for the information that the money from the song will go to Age UK.

My understanding is that the money raised by GB News will go to one specific charity. I looked up the criteria which that charity uses for its grants. It also runs care homes, which I hope the money won't go towards. The grants have to be applied for through a handful of agencies, such as Citizens Advice. It will be used for one-off emergencies, such as buying a new cooker. My guess is that most of it won't go to people above the Pension Credit threshold, so will probably go to people in dire need (as it should), who won't lose their WFT anyway.

I agree with Jeanathome. These gestures are being weaponised as political statements. I really dislike 'gesture charity'. The solution should be more long-term by, for example, raising the state pension and/or Pension Credit. Local authorities should be able (and resourced) to make sure that warm accommodation is available for everybody in their area (not just old people), which might involve retro-fitting some older properties or building more purpose-build housing.

When people get bored with moaning about the withdrawal of WFT, they'll go back to blaming the poor and accusing them of the 'politics of envy' and they'll moan like hell if taxes are raised to support people living in poverty.

Ironic really that I'm accused of being an 'I'm alright Jack' person and having the politics of envy.

petal53

I’ve listened to both the songs. Obviously the Labour supporters on here are not going to like the one about pensioners keeping warm at Christmas. It takes a direct pop at Starmer.
Fair enough. He removed the WFA and some very old people are going to suffer as a result.
Go to the top of the class Starmer. Well done you. You picked on the poorest pensioners and a lot of people don’t like it. Even if some Gransnetters do!

No, he didn't pick on the poorest pensioners. The poorest pensioners won't lose their WFT.

Allira

Well, I would think if your income is about £1,000 per month, by the time rent, Council tax, water rates etc are paid, plus other bills which may occur, you must be a very careful manager indeed to keep warm and well-fed.

Washing machine breaks down? Cooker stops working? Boiler needs a service (essential)
Can't afford to run a car? - fine if you live on a bus route with a good bus service.

I don't expect people to have empathy, it's not inherent in everyone, of course.
However, I can see how some will struggle and I feel for them.

My income is nowhere near £1000 a month (I wish) after rent, council tax, water rates etc are paid.

I must be such a good financial manger, maybe I should be Chancellor!!

PS. I do run a car.

growstuff

Allira

Well, I would think if your income is about £1,000 per month, by the time rent, Council tax, water rates etc are paid, plus other bills which may occur, you must be a very careful manager indeed to keep warm and well-fed.

Washing machine breaks down? Cooker stops working? Boiler needs a service (essential)
Can't afford to run a car? - fine if you live on a bus route with a good bus service.

I don't expect people to have empathy, it's not inherent in everyone, of course.
However, I can see how some will struggle and I feel for them.

My income is nowhere near £1000 a month (I wish) after rent, council tax, water rates etc are paid.

I must be such a good financial manger, maybe I should be Chancellor!!

PS. I do run a car.

That's not what I said at all!

If your total income is £1,000 a month,

By the time you have paid rent, Council tax, water rates etc, plus other bills which may occur,

Then you would have scarcely any money left for heating and food.

The WFA would be very welcome.

growstuff My circumstances aren't different. I can afford to keep warm because my heating bills and food are a priority and I make sure I can pay for them. clearly that's not true, everyone's circumstances will be differnt. Not everybody on the same income as you will occupy a home identical in size, location, insulation, construction etc These variations can impact hugely on the amount of heat needed to warm a home. You're not stupid so you must see that.

I read Allira's post as if your income is about £1000 a month then after you've paid rent, council tax etc etc from that £1000 you must be left with very little to feed yourself and heat your home. The comma after £1000 a month separates it from the following phrases. I'm sure she doesn't think you have £1000 a month left after these bills as you wouldn't then be only £13 a month over the limit for pension credit.

Allira I was typing while you posted, I'm a very slow two finger typist! Glad I understood you correctly. Anything else just didn't make sense.

I can't find a private rental for a 2 bedroomed house in eg a not-so-expensive part of Gloucestershire for less than £775 pcm.

Someone in a Council house might be better off and anyone who has paid off a mortgage would have more disposable income.