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Some things will come and bite you on the arse . . .
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By *atEvolution OP Couple 16 weeks ago
Open Tonight Fri 27 CLOSED Saturday 28 |
https://news.sky.com/story/chancellor-makes-mistake-with-winter-fuel-payment-but-she-has-chance-to-make-corrections-13205994
******The decision by the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for 10 million pensioners forever is probably the biggest domestic headache for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as MPs return to Westminster from their summer holidays this week.
It may soon lead to the first big climbdown by the incoming government.*****
It's an Opinion Piece. - But what say you forumites?
I think it's a very BIG mistake. Both Socially and politically.
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By *atEvolution OP Couple 16 weeks ago
Open Tonight Fri 27 CLOSED Saturday 28 |
There was an article a few days ago that said in order to get the means tested WFP you had to fill in a 24 page document. And that there are many barriers or things you must have in place - other benefits etc before they will even send you the form.
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By *otMe66Man 16 weeks ago
Terra Firma |
They got this completely wrong. The tough stance was meant to show the public that they were serious and had rigorous plans, with the intention of hitting pensioners hard to make anyone opposing future cuts or tax hikes appear selfish.
However, this approach backfired for several reasons. Firstly, the cuts were too blunt, anyone with even a penny over the threshold would lose their allowance. Secondly, everyone knows that fuel prices are expected to rise by another 10% on average. Finally, the significant pay increases given to junior doctors and other public sector workers created a perception problem, making the government's actions look harsh.
The economics of this decision are less important than the principle of doing the right thing for those at retirement age, yet Labour has made it clear they are not the party that will support the elderly. While this message might fly now, it will linger in people's minds in the future, and this decision could become a lasting burden for them.
The only way to rectify this situation is to treat pensioners fairly perhaps by raising the eligibility threshold and introducing a sliding scale where every £1 over that amount reduces the allowance by £1.
No one wants the government to fail because if it does, we all suffer. It's time for the government to acknowledge its mistake with this and reverse out.
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By *atEvolution OP Couple 16 weeks ago
Open Tonight Fri 27 CLOSED Saturday 28 |
"They got this completely wrong. The tough stance was meant to show the public that they were serious and had rigorous plans, with the intention of hitting pensioners hard to make anyone opposing future cuts or tax hikes appear selfish.
However, this approach backfired for several reasons. Firstly, the cuts were too blunt, anyone with even a penny over the threshold would lose their allowance. Secondly, everyone knows that fuel prices are expected to rise by another 10% on average. Finally, the significant pay increases given to junior doctors and other public sector workers created a perception problem, making the government's actions look harsh.
The economics of this decision are less important than the principle of doing the right thing for those at retirement age, yet Labour has made it clear they are not the party that will support the elderly. While this message might fly now, it will linger in people's minds in the future, and this decision could become a lasting burden for them.
The only way to rectify this situation is to treat pensioners fairly perhaps by raising the eligibility threshold and introducing a sliding scale where every £1 over that amount reduces the allowance by £1.
No one wants the government to fail because if it does, we all suffer. It's time for the government to acknowledge its mistake with this and reverse out.
"
Can't argue with any of that.  |
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"They got this completely wrong. The tough stance was meant to show the public that they were serious and had rigorous plans, with the intention of hitting pensioners hard to make anyone opposing future cuts or tax hikes appear selfish.
However, this approach backfired for several reasons. Firstly, the cuts were too blunt, anyone with even a penny over the threshold would lose their allowance. Secondly, everyone knows that fuel prices are expected to rise by another 10% on average. Finally, the significant pay increases given to junior doctors and other public sector workers created a perception problem, making the government's actions look harsh.
The economics of this decision are less important than the principle of doing the right thing for those at retirement age, yet Labour has made it clear they are not the party that will support the elderly. While this message might fly now, it will linger in people's minds in the future, and this decision could become a lasting burden for them.
The only way to rectify this situation is to treat pensioners fairly perhaps by raising the eligibility threshold and introducing a sliding scale where every £1 over that amount reduces the allowance by £1.
No one wants the government to fail because if it does, we all suffer. It's time for the government to acknowledge its mistake with this and reverse out.
"
Agree with most of that.. |
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Think it was a bad move for him.
But in fairness the winter fuel allowance was brought in by Blair in 97 for all pensioners. It was in due course like any other benefit going to be means tested. They never got around to it and neither did the tories afterwards, most like as they needed the "grey" vote.
Guess starmer is now getting around to the original plan.
Very bold move after just being elected and will obviously not make him popular |
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By *yth11Couple 16 weeks ago
newark |
"There was an article a few days ago that said in order to get the means tested WFP you had to fill in a 24 page document. And that there are many barriers or things you must have in place - other benefits etc before they will even send you the form.
"
The funny thing is that if all the pensioners that currently don’t claim it get it the black hole will get bigger by 2bn |
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"Think it was a bad move for him.
But in fairness the winter fuel allowance was brought in by Blair in 97 for all pensioners. It was in due course like any other benefit going to be means tested. They never got around to it and neither did the tories afterwards, most like as they needed the "grey" vote.
Guess starmer is now getting around to the original plan.
Very bold move after just being elected and will obviously not make him popular "
He has been very uninspiring since taking office
Doom and gloom |
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"Think it was a bad move for him.
But in fairness the winter fuel allowance was brought in by Blair in 97 for all pensioners. It was in due course like any other benefit going to be means tested. They never got around to it and neither did the tories afterwards, most like as they needed the "grey" vote.
Guess starmer is now getting around to the original plan.
Very bold move after just being elected and will obviously not make him popular
He has been very uninspiring since taking office
Doom and gloom "
Boris was full of fun until he bumped into reality. |
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We accepted the loss of the winter fuel payment because we're prepared to contribute towards the recovery the country really needs.
Anyone who has problems completing the required paperwork to claim pension credit or any other benefit that entities them to the winter fuel payment should contact age uk, citizens advice, or the people attached to the social services dept of their local authority for help. |
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By *yth11Couple 16 weeks ago
newark |
"Think it was a bad move for him.
But in fairness the winter fuel allowance was brought in by Blair in 97 for all pensioners. It was in due course like any other benefit going to be means tested. They never got around to it and neither did the tories afterwards, most like as they needed the "grey" vote.
Guess starmer is now getting around to the original plan.
Very bold move after just being elected and will obviously not make him popular
He has been very uninspiring since taking office
Doom and gloom "
Part of problem is that having a closer with the EU means you can’t do certain stuff such renationalising port talbot steel works without causing problems. Also it’s means we are going to follow the EU on a lot of stuff such as a new carbon tax on petrol/diesel/Nat gas/LPG/0il in next couple of years even if she does not introduce this year. |
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You could argue it's justified to deny a fuel top-up to wealthy pensioners. But state pensions are the lowest in the developed world anyway, so the government are hardly being over generous. But the worst thing is the optics of mugging pensioners within weeks of being elected. It's a bit cloth-eared. |
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By *yth11Couple 16 weeks ago
newark |
"We accepted the loss of the winter fuel payment because we're prepared to contribute towards the recovery the country really needs.
Anyone who has problems completing the required paperwork to claim pension credit or any other benefit that entities them to the winter fuel payment should contact age uk, citizens advice, or the people attached to the social services dept of their local authority for help. "
And if they all do which will cost about 3.5 billion what else are you prepared to pay tax on since giving up the winter fuel payment only saves 1.5bn. |
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"You could argue it's justified to deny a fuel top-up to wealthy pensioners. But state pensions are the lowest in the developed world anyway, so the government are hardly being over generous. But the worst thing is the optics of mugging pensioners within weeks of being elected. It's a bit cloth-eared."
The timing is awful being so soon after being elected. I get the idea of getting the unpopular stuff done early but this is just taking the Mick. Still not heard if the chancellor will publish the impact assessment that was made for this change. Can you imagine the uproar if the Tories had done this under any leader and then refused to publish the impact assessment |
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My parents will lose it as my dad has one of those golden final salary pensions that don't exist anymore
My dad is very ill and my mum can't get carers allowance or any other benefits dure to his pension income
They are quite well off and have even said in the past that they don't need the winter fuel allowance but hey if its going!
So they will be fine but I feel for the pensioners that will have to fill out a form that might be complicated and not get the support they need.
As I said think this is a bad move and the tabloids will rip Labour apart over this |
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"We accepted the loss of the winter fuel payment because we're prepared to contribute towards the recovery the country really needs.
Anyone who has problems completing the required paperwork to claim pension credit or any other benefit that entities them to the winter fuel payment should contact age uk, citizens advice, or the people attached to the social services dept of their local authority for help.
And if they all do which will cost about 3.5 billion what else are you prepared to pay tax on since giving up the winter fuel payment only saves 1.5bn."
Since most people assume that pensioners who are entitled to pension credit but don't claim aren't capable of filling out a form it's seems unlikely this will happen. |
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"We accepted the loss of the winter fuel payment because we're prepared to contribute towards the recovery the country really needs.
Anyone who has problems completing the required paperwork to claim pension credit or any other benefit that entities them to the winter fuel payment should contact age uk, citizens advice, or the people attached to the social services dept of their local authority for help.
And if they all do which will cost about 3.5 billion what else are you prepared to pay tax on since giving up the winter fuel payment only saves 1.5bn."
This £1.5bn freezing a few pensioners is a laughable policy. The sum raised pays the interest on the national debt for five days |
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They will fudge it, realising they have shot themselves in the foot.
They will deny that it is a u-turn.
And they will say they have listened to the people and dress the u-turn up as some sort of success. |
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