Aiming to be Christmas No.1

I'd more than happily donate direct to someone who is struggling at Christmas, but it's clear to see that not everyone is, by a long shot.
I'd rather give to a GoFundMe for individuals who are having a really rough time.

GrannyGravy13

For balance if it was the Conservatives who had withdrawn the WFA, and this song parodied them I would also be supportive of it.

Are those who are against the song and therefore must be against it raising money for AGE U.K. also against the re-release of the Band Aid fortieth anniversary release of Do They Know it’s Christmas?

Are you against any fund raising song/event, or just those which point out the failings of the Labour Government?

The Marsh family were rather prevalent with their tunes against the Conservatives, which were applauded here on GN.

Well there is a lot of publicity against the Band Aid record, white saviours patronising Africans. Well I don't want to be a patronised pensioner. Raise money for the poor but the idea that all pensioners need charity is ridiculous and insulting.

LizzieDrip

Mt61 I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.

Aren’t you in a position to help your mum with something towards her energy bill - surely that would be better than her eating cold food?

Thank you. No I am not in a position to help with money! we too are very careful with our heating. I do bring her here for meals, or take hot soup & stews round.. but thats beside the point I think the threshold needs sorting, as to what people can claim.
I do not agree btw that every pensioner should qualify, but it sticks in my throat that these MPs get allowance for second homes on their wages. It isn’t right!

For balance if it was the Conservatives who had withdrawn the WFA, and this song parodied them I would also be supportive of it.

Are those who are against the song and therefore must be against it raising money for AGE U.K. also against the re-release of the Band Aid fortieth anniversary release of Do They Know it’s Christmas?

Are you against any fund raising song/event, or just those which point out the failings of the Labour Government?

The Marsh family were rather prevalent with their tunes against the Conservatives, which were applauded here on GN.

keepingquiet

Just to come back in after some judgemental posts here.

There is no reason anyone should freeze to death. Pension credit has been available for years but a lot of pernsioners didn't know or didn't claim it. This meant there was a massive fund of unclaimed money in the coffers.
Now many pensioners are better off than they were and can afford to heat their homes, if they choose to do so.

I am not an 'alright Jack' at all. I frequently go into other people's homes which are cold, because for some reason they prefer it that way.

I have serious chest disease which means I will get ill if I get cold. I suppose it is a matter of choice in the end. No one can force you to heat your home.

Recently I was told of a conversation on board a cruise ship. The people were bragging about where and when they had been on several cruises that year but were up in arms that they weren't getting their winter fuel allowance.

It depends on your priorities I suppose. I can't afford cruises but I heat my home because I care about my health.

Exactly. Also we keep getting told pensioners are losing £300, if you are under 80 it works out at £200 and if you live with another pensioner you get half each. I don't know why they keep focusing on £300 as not everyone would get that anyway.

Lots of the people on the cruise are probably losing £100, I wonder what the cruise cost?

LizzieDrip

Mt61 I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.

Aren’t you in a position to help your mum with something towards her energy bill - surely that would be better than her eating cold food?

Also contact the energy company, they have funds to help vulnerable people with their heating bills too.

I agree.

Just to come back in after some judgemental posts here.

There is no reason anyone should freeze to death. Pension credit has been available for years but a lot of pernsioners didn't know or didn't claim it. This meant there was a massive fund of unclaimed money in the coffers.
Now many pensioners are better off than they were and can afford to heat their homes, if they choose to do so.

I am not an 'alright Jack' at all. I frequently go into other people's homes which are cold, because for some reason they prefer it that way.

I have serious chest disease which means I will get ill if I get cold. I suppose it is a matter of choice in the end. No one can force you to heat your home.

Recently I was told of a conversation on board a cruise ship. The people were bragging about where and when they had been on several cruises that year but were up in arms that they weren't getting their winter fuel allowance.

It depends on your priorities I suppose. I can't afford cruises but I heat my home because I care about my health.

Mt61 I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.

Aren’t you in a position to help your mum with something towards her energy bill - surely that would be better than her eating cold food?

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!

Allira

Oh dear, -4C in Glasgow tonight, -9C in rural Scotland tonight, stay warm Scottish Grans.

It's not just -4C, we have had freezing fog all day. The cold was bone numbing.

I'm amazed at how many car are being sold without fog lights.

It’s a balmy 6C here on the south coast tonight. I really should be out in the garden star gazing instead of cosying up under my 13.5 tog quilt with a hot bottle (and an iPad and a sleeping husband.)
Time to stop being so nesh!

Love this, it just about sums up this dreadful uncaring government. Good point about monies sent abroad and MP allowances, they should lead by example but do they heck!

5C here too, time for a moonlit dip.

Brrrrr that's cold, my predicted overnight temperature of 4C sounds positively balmy!

Oh dear, -4C in Glasgow tonight, -9C in rural Scotland tonight, stay warm Scottish Grans.

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.

Quite!
If bills, without food and energy, amount to about £1,000 per month and you still have £1,000 pcm left after paying them, then your income would be C£30,000 pa.

Rosie51

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.

Thanks, I thought it was clear enough but perhaps not.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.