U turn on winter fuel payments- is it a good move?

I think it is a brave move, as it is inevitable that even those who moaned when the WFA was cut will now moan about its reinstatement.

I don't think that people (including politicians, but also parents, managers and so on) should dig their heels in 'because I've said so' rather than listen to those who disagree and adapt if they feel critics have a point.

I don't know what I think about the new move as we haven't had the detail yet. Is the £35k limit a personal one or a household one, for instance? How will it be reclaimed if a person/household has income above that? Will HMRC be able to link couples' incomes?

Wonder how many people will post now they got what they wanted?

I will certainly be eligible if it's for those on less than £25 000 pa.

However, on the news now it's just more government baiting... seems they can't do right for doing wrong...

Of course it’s a good move and it’s a sensible threshold. I doubt anyone just above the original threshold will be complaining.

A pity this wasn’t what was done in the first place.

Of course it’s ’flip flopping’, this has only happened because of the negative response to the original plan.

No idea how it will all work.

keepingquiet

Wonder how many people will post now they got what they wanted?

I will certainly be eligible if it's for those on less than £25 000 pa.

However, on the news now it's just more government baiting... seems they can't do right for doing wrong...

I think that in years to come this government's term will be used in schools as an example of how the media influence opinion. I've been interested in that sort of thing all my life, and have never seen things as bad as this. Maybe that's because there are more media sources than ever before, and because 'ordinary' people have access to them in ways that allow everyone to give their opinions, but it's been poisonous.

Finally this government have listened but actually they shouldn't have removed it in the first place.

I'm pleased as my boiler is causing me lots of problems and additional money will help.

Calendargirl

A pity this wasn’t what was done in the first place.

Of course it’s ’flip flopping’, this has only happened because of the negative response to the original plan.

No idea how it will all work.

Is 'flip-flopping' a good or bad thing, in your opinion? Should governments stick to decisions that the people they represent clearly dislike 'just because', or should they have the humility to change their minds?

I for one will be thankful for the reinstatement of the fuel allowance, its a big help to me in the winter months.

I quite admire people who can publicly change their mind - provided of course they are doing so because they feel they were wrong initially, not because they are currying favour.

I’m not sure Doodledog,

I think that if any government feel they have made a wrong decision, then it’s sensible to try and correct it.

But ‘U turns’ can make them look indecisive and weak.

Important issues need to be considered in depth before any rash moves are made, whether trying to court popularity or not.

To me, that then shows strength, not weakness.

www.gov.uk/government/news/nine-million-pensioners-to-receive-winter-fuel-payments-this-winter#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20non%2Dcontributory,someone%20aged%2080%20or%20over.

This is the press release from R Reeves and the Treasury.

I'm still not clear about whether all pensioners will be assessed individually, or whether it will be done by household. Does anyone know? I'm not keen on household payments, as we pay tax as individuals, so IMO should get benefits on the same basis - one person's eligibility should not be affected by the income of another. In households where people split bills and expenses it would be particularly galling.

On the other hand, heating is either on or off, so single people are at a disadvantage when it comes to this. It would seem odd to have the payment made to someone with an income below the threshold if their spouse has a very high income, but any sort of means-test throws up anomalies like this.

Thanks for replying, Calendargirl.

I see what you mean, and very much believe that this government are dreadful at PR. They should have done far more research before the announcement.

Part of the problem though, is that as we've seen on GN, people who complained that the WFA went to those who 'didn't need it' changed their minds entirely when it was withdrawn, so research in this case would have been difficult to get right.

All the same, governments are there to represent the people, and if something is as unpopular as this seems to have been I think it shows flexibility and humility to change their mind.

The threshold is £35,000..

Doodledog

This is from the press release:

"The payment will be recovered from individuals via HMRC based on their individual taxable incomes. There will be no need for household incomes to be aggregated."

I already get taxed on WFA, now they will take it all back, my wife keeps hers. I’m wondering where the extra cash has come from.

Super job!

No moaning from this OAP

I look forward to the media headlines thanking the Labour government … not holding my breath!

Just thinking the £35,000 slighly deceptive as I 'earn' £12,600 a year and pay tax on that so can't see this being any benefit really

Just for clarity , does anyone know or has seen if the £3700, which is the figure I have read, is gross or net income.
I.e, before or after tax?

Braver to admit that you’ve made a mistake than to continue for fear of criticism imo.

Basics from the Head of the Resolution Foundation on the 1pm Beeb news

*At the moment, only 10% of pensioners get WFA.
After the changes, 75% will get WFA*

The means testing is going to be done via the tax system as mentioned already, so if you are on PAYG you dont need to apply, if you are on tax returns annually it will go by that.

True, CyberBug, but someone with more than you get still needing WFA will get the help they need now.

They have costed it but as I was listening not reading in the car I didn't get the estimated cost, nor the suggestions as to how it will be paid for. They have said no further borrowing. Myself, I hope in the autumn they look closely at tax allowances as closely related.

As for the U turn and people scornful (just waiting for it in the papers tomorrow, fgs just be grateful they DID listen

MayBee70

Braver to admit that you’ve made a mistake than to continue for fear of criticism imo.

Yes I agree

I meant to highlight this as its so good

At the moment, only 10% of pensioners get WFA
After the changes, 75% will get WFA

As I said, confirmed by the Resolution Foundation.

I didn’t realise anyone paid tax on WFA.
Has it always been added to income before.
To Cuberbug, you should receive it as your income is way below the level quoted Tax on £12,600 should be very little.