Aiming to be Christmas No.1

The WFP should never have been introduced, giving it to all just because they were old was just plain stupid. Alas once you give something to someone it is very hard to take it away. An acquaintance of mine was bitterly complaining about her WFP loss as ‘ I always use it to buy my grand children good presents!

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Hardship Payments provided by local governments. Any one on a low income can apply if they are in need. My understanding is that they received extra Government funding after the withdrawal of the fuel payment and no one should be freezing or eating cold food.

Just listened to it - ooh, it is quite strong, isn't it!!

Alas once you give something to someone it is very hard to take it away.
This is true. These add-ons can be given with one hand, taken away with another.

Perhaps pensions should be increased to levels more commensurate to those of European countries.

Mt61

Just lost my dad to Alzheimer’s & Raynaud’s disease, just before he passed, him & mum were sat with a blanket & hot water bottles too scared to put the heating on for long. Flip side of the coin- my niece live near to hotel that houses migrants- she said that most of their windows were opened, probably stifling hot. Now my dad is dead money is even tighter but because she she slightly over the threshold she can’t claim PC. Makes my blood boil. Not only that she’s eating cold food because it cost too much to put the oven on 😩this government do not care as long as they are getting their heating allowance for their second homes- why don’t they live in a shared hostel if they need somewhere to stay whilst working in the city- would make more sense!

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad and the decline in comfort that was suffered. A slow cooker costs about as much to run as a lightbulb and a flask can be useful too. A microwave uses very little power and you can often find one on freecycle.

I'm not entirely sure of the connection with migrants.

Jeanathome May I suggest you re read your comment. If you do not know what is wrong with it, well, poor you.

Gin

The WFP should never have been introduced, giving it to all just because they were old was just plain stupid. Alas once you give something to someone it is very hard to take it away. An acquaintance of mine was bitterly complaining about her WFP loss as ‘ I always use it to buy my grand children good presents!

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Hardship Payments provided by local governments. Any one on a low income can apply if they are in need. My understanding is that they received extra Government funding after the withdrawal of the fuel payment and no one should be freezing or eating cold food.

Not only that but some energy suppliers do give help.

My empathy goes to those who, no fault of their own, live in country areas and have no gas and have to rely on extremely expensive oil for their heating, who haven’t seemed to have had much help at all, often live in rural areas in older less insulated houses.

I’m not an “I’m alright Jack”, but I do genuinely feel this is an all out attack on Labour, rather than empathy towards those on low incomes, just above the threshold.

I can assure you many many more families suffered under Austerity.

Allira

^Alas once you give something to someone it is very hard to take it away.^
This is true. These add-ons can be given with one hand, taken away with another.

Perhaps pensions should be increased to levels more commensurate to those of European countries.

Absolutely!!!

Spare a thought for those of us in rural districts with no natural gas. Not only do we have to pay more to heat our homes but the options with which we can do so are being reduced. We use a mix of electricity and LPG ,both expensive, and now the LPG has been made more so because our bulk tank has been removed this year because it "no longer complies with new legislation" ,although its been there over 20 years without any problem, so we now have to use the much smaller cylinders which are eye wateringly expensive. Obviously we have also lost our WFA and , before you ask, we're not eligible for any credits. I'm sorry for the rant but it has made me feel slightly better .

North Lincolnshire Council are giving free Air Fryers & Slow Cookers & lessons in how to use them to some pensioners.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gz5djj50do

Allira

^Alas once you give something to someone it is very hard to take it away.^
This is true. These add-ons can be given with one hand, taken away with another.

Perhaps pensions should be increased to levels more commensurate to those of European countries.

I agree, just make pensions better all year round.

Yes like many councils we have a local hardship scheme

This is Birmingham, dont want to quote mine as regards privacy but our scheme is very much the same:

Grants are for:
*energy and food, with grant payments of up to £200 per household.

Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to*

Instead of wasting yi.e and money releasing a record they should be out there helping those that need it to fill in the many many pages needed to even try to get Pension Credit.

That should have been TIME

Wyllow3

Yes like many councils we have a local hardship scheme

This is Birmingham, dont want to quote mine as regards privacy but our scheme is very much the same:

Grants are for:
*energy and food, with grant payments of up to £200 per household.

Receiving a grant from this fund will not impact any other benefits you may be receiving or may be entitled to*

Yes like many councils we have a local hardship scheme

Laudable, but then that does begin to seem more like what worriedwell meant - charity and many older people might be reluctant to enquire about that.

justanovice

Spare a thought for those of us in rural districts with no natural gas. Not only do we have to pay more to heat our homes but the options with which we can do so are being reduced. We use a mix of electricity and LPG ,both expensive, and now the LPG has been made more so because our bulk tank has been removed this year because it "no longer complies with new legislation" ,although its been there over 20 years without any problem, so we now have to use the much smaller cylinders which are eye wateringly expensive. Obviously we have also lost our WFA and , before you ask, we're not eligible for any credits. I'm sorry for the rant but it has made me feel slightly better .

My neighbour has just had the large LPG cylinder resited further from the house to comply with the new regulations justanovice, was that not an option? Most people around me have log burners, as for we rural inhabitants that’s the cheapest option to heat your home. Although they aren’t cheap to install, they last for ever, and wood is in plentiful supply here - and best of all, it still works when there’s a power cut.

There are quite a few log burners around here but aren't they now considered to be bad for the environment?

Log burners have to comply with emissions regulations, but the farmers would be burning the surplus wood themselves otherwise, which would be more polluting than the log burners are, so I’m pragmatic about it. I don’t buy wood that’s farmed specifically and sold in packs at the supermarket though, just the surplus generated by the farms.

I would be ashamed of that response did you proofread 🤦‍♀️

Allira

There are quite a few log burners around here but aren't they now considered to be bad for the environment?

www.theecoexperts.co.uk/news/log-burners-environment

according to this article, very bad.

Just listenedto the song on You Tube. Absolutely brilliant! Let's hope it makes Christmas number 1

Thank goodness for thoughts and support for pensioners. Kier is going to bring us all down so much for us working all our life to hopefully enjoy retirement no spare money for pleasure

Rosie51

Allira

There are quite a few log burners around here but aren't they now considered to be bad for the environment?

www.theecoexperts.co.uk/news/log-burners-environment

according to this article, very bad.

If you live in a rural area there is little alternative, and provided you comply with the regulations you are fine to use a log burner.
uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat09/1901291307_Ready_to_Burn_Web.pdf

Driving through a nearby village, the smoke from all the log burners seems to just hang around in the valley.

Does anyone use oil now?

Allira

Driving through a nearby village, the smoke from all the log burners seems to just hang around in the valley.

Does anyone use oil now?

Yes, but a lot of people are moving away from oil because it’s expensive, life limited, and another pollutant. There are not many options.

With minus 3° at 10 am today where I live I have no option but to keep heating on all day long. Not worth while shutting down as takes even longer to maintain 20° . I am ond if those who would be considered to be comfortable but not at such low temperatures. I have no bus service to escape to a shopping centre/warm space type place so have to drive. Save on heating v cost of petrol and parking. Or, just let the energy bill go skyhigh but be warm. Yes, a bit more compassion for those not fitting into Government schemes.