I contributed to your survey and have read the results with interest. However, there is an assumption embedded in it which I would like to challenge, which is that the only way to distribute these benefits in a socially fair way is through means testing. The problem with means testing is that it is extremely expensive to administer and tends to involve sudden cut-offs so that if, for example, your income goes up by a small amount, you lose ALL your benefits, which can be quite a considerable amount. Wouldn't a better way be to TAX benefits, so that the higher your income, the more you 'pay', but you don't lose the lot in one fell swoop. For example, a sick elderly person could find paying for prescriptions a huge burden, even if they are reasonably well-off (and for this reason I am inclined not to include these in the system, as it penalises the sick and disabled who already need a lot of support, and is complex to administer). But it would be easy to assume a sum for travel passes and winter fuel payments, and deduct tax at either the lower or the higher rate, depending on income. (I would do the same for child benefit). The tax system is already in place and wouldn't require a whole lot of new forms and new administrators.
Army horses loose on London streets
Have any of you got all electric cars? Pros and cons please.
Angela Rayner lashes out and calls Sunak “pint sized loser”.