Election Year or Fear!

[Andy_Faber]

There’s a whole lot of mischief making going on about the winter fuel allowance imo. Those in the greatest need will still receive help.
Speaking as someone previously in receipt of the allowance I have to say I don’t actually need it and I doubt very much that I’m amongst the wealthiest 35% of pensioners.
Amongst my friendship group are those who donate the money to charity, give it to their children, add it to the grandkids’ present fund or buy the Christmas booze with it. That’s not what taxpayers’ money should be spent on is it?
Amongst our local community are pensioners living in properties worth a million pounds or more. Why, in such circumstances, shouldn’t it be means tested. As long as those in the greatest need continue to receive the allowance what’s the problem?

If you're saying 'what's the problem?' in an offhand way thats not like you, if its a genuine question there are two problems IMO - first, a genuine problem 'on the margins', where because not everyone's circumstances are the same, some people will lose it and miss it and not have any other allowance to replace it, and second a problem of message delivery, its not been great, not helped of course by HMG (as ever was), by the unions and cheif string-puller Mick Lynch coming out against it.

[SithHappens]

I personally think it should be means tested. My concern is that while those most in need will get, what normally happens is you have that percentage of the population that fall in between, not able to claim pension credit but still struggle to properly make ends meet, it those where the concern is.

It's the lateness in the year that I don't like, those that have been expecting to be in receipt are being told at very short notice they won't get it, for those in that 'gap ' had they had notice they could have put a bit more away or topped up their DD extra through the cheaper spring and summer months. If the government had said we are removing it from next year or at least staggered the removal so it was only reduced slightly this year then fully next year.

[ramAnag]

If you're saying 'what's the problem?' in an offhand way thats not like you, if its a genuine question there are two problems IMO - first, a genuine problem 'on the margins', where because not everyone's circumstances are the same, some people will lose it and miss it and not have any other allowance to replace it, and second a problem of message delivery, its not been great, not helped of course by HMG (as ever was), by the unions and cheif string-puller Mick Lynch coming out against it.

I’ll accept that the communication hasn’t been great and Mick Lynch’s stance unhelpful…but as a principle - that such support needs to be properly targeted - I believe the government action to be correct.
If, as you suggest, ‘some people will lose it and miss it’ for genuine reasons then I understand that needs addressing, but the notion of a universal ‘benefit’ where the very wealthy receive the same £300 towards the cost of their winter fuel as the little old couple who receive nothing more than their monthly pension is seriously flawed.

[Andy_Faber]

I’ll accept that the communication hasn’t been great and Mick Lynch’s stance unhelpful…but as a principle - that such support needs to be properly targeted - I believe the government action to be correct.
If, as you suggest, ‘some people will lose it and miss it’ for genuine reasons then I understand that needs addressing, but the notion of a universal ‘benefit’ where the very wealthy receive the same £300 towards the cost of their winter fuel as the little old couple who receive nothing more than their monthly pension is seriously flawed.

But that logic is inconsistent, because you who don’t need a generous tax free allowance get one anyway to the same level as those with only state pension. This is a result of dogma by Labour, an income tax raid in all but name (it is an income, they’ve taxed it at 100% for most) because they vowed not to touch ‘actual income tax. I’m just being devils advocate here I am not old enough nor have relatives old enough to have actual skin in the game

[MadAmster]

I am in the fortunate position of being well enough off not to need it plus I live abroad so wouldn't get it any road up.

I get rA's stance and agree with it. Benefits should go to those who need them and not to those who don't. There will always be a "grey area" of people who only just fail to qualify for a particular benefit, no matter the level at which you pitch the test.

The UK already has one of the lowest state pensions going. Hence the need for the various allowances. Should Bernie Ecclestone qualify for the Winter Heating Allowance? I don't think he should Same goes for fellow billionaires like David and Simon Reuben, Jim Ratcliffe, Kirsten Rausing, Leonard Blavatnik and others.

[ramAnag]

But that logic is inconsistent, because you who don’t need a generous tax free allowance get one anyway to the same level as those with only state pension. This is a result of dogma by Labour, an income tax raid in all but name (it is an income, they’ve taxed it at 100% for most) because they vowed not to touch ‘actual income tax. I’m just being devils advocate here I am not old enough nor have relatives old enough to have actual skin in the game

I’m sorry AF…I just don’t ‘get’ any of those arguments. I suppose we just look at the world in different ways.

As for the ‘no skin in the game’ aspect…that’s a bit like saying I don’t care about schools because my children have left, I’m not bothered about the NHS because I’ve never been ill, or climate change is of no concern to me because my life is nearly done.
Surely every one has ‘skin in the game’ of seeking to ensure a well educated society where the sick and elderly are well cared for and the future is secured for our grandchildren and beyond.

[Andy_Faber]

I’m sorry AF…I just don’t ‘get’ any of those arguments. I suppose we just look at the world in different ways.

As for the ‘no skin in the game’ aspect…that’s a bit like saying I don’t care about schools because my children have left, I’m not bothered about the NHS because I’ve never been ill, or climate change is of no concern to me because my life is nearly done.
Surely every one has ‘skin in the game’ of seeking to ensure a well educated society where the sick and elderly are well cared for and the future is secured for our grandchildren and beyond.

Just the opposite. No skin in the game means I can look at it objectively rather than think ‘I should believe X but that would disadvantage uncle Bert (or whoever) so I’d better think Y.

[ramAnag]

Just the opposite. No skin in the game means I can look at it objectively rather than think ‘I should believe X but that would disadvantage uncle Bert (or whoever) so I’d better think Y.

Okay…again we’ll have to differ. To me it means no material interest or investment in the outcome of an enterprise or activity.

[Trickytreesreds]

There’s a whole lot of mischief making going on about the winter fuel allowance imo. Those in the greatest need will still receive help.
Speaking as someone previously in receipt of the allowance I have to say I don’t actually need it and I doubt very much that I’m amongst the wealthiest 35% of pensioners.
Amongst my friendship group are those who donate the money to charity, give it to their children, add it to the grandkids’ present fund or buy the Christmas booze with it. That’s not what taxpayers’ money should be spent on is it?
Amongst our local community are pensioners living in properties worth a million pounds or more. Why, in such circumstances, shouldn’t it be means tested. As long as those in the greatest need continue to receive the allowance what’s the problem?

Mischief making?
In 2017, Labour, with Starmer said that 4000 pensioners will die if May cuts the wnter fuel payment. Theyw ere outraged that she even might consider it.
Starmer said quite catagorically, that there was no plans to touch the payment or any other attack on pensioners. What changed, apart from the obvious lie?
Remember the rants pre election? NO DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO- EXCEPT WE WILL ALL BE PAYING MUCH MORE TAX.

Keir Starmer accused the Conservatives of plotting to cut pensioners’ winter fuel payments just weeks before the election was called.

The prime minister urged Rishi Sunak to “rule out” scrapping winter fuel payments in May, and suggested the then-government wanted to use the money to abolish National Insurance.

Rachel Reeves, who this month axed the payments for 10 million state pensioners, also repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for reducing the support while in her role as an opposition frontbencher.

In 2012, she accused the party of “hitting pensioners hard” over a decision to not raise winter fuel payments for retirees. A year earlier, she sought “assurances” over the future of the payments.
Gareth Davies MP, the shadow exchequer secretary, accused Labour of hypocrisy over the claims. It comes as figures show the raid is set to backfire at a cost of £490m to the Treasury.

Mr Davies said: “Labour’s hypocrisy knows no bounds. Not only has the Chancellor invented a fictitious black hole to try and justify her true economic agenda, but she has also done the very thing Labour baselessly tried to accuse the Conservatives of considering – cutting winter fuel payments – in a desperate attempt to lay the groundwork for tax rises.”

[Trickytreesreds]

The level of taxation, could cause us to spiral into recession very quickly. It isn't just here either.
Why are millionaires leaving the UK?
The UK tax burden is at record levels, making living in the country less appealing to those with lots of wealth.

Frozen tax thresholds have created fiscal drag, hitting people’s earnings.

People earning above £125,140, face a 45% income tax rate, while the personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 you earn above £100,000.

Meanwhile, those who take income from dividends have seen the allowance cut from £1,000 to £500 since April 2024, while it was £5,000 when first introduced in 2016.

Capital gains allowances have also halved since April to £3,000.

Both the Conservative Party and Labour have pledged to scrap non-dom status, while those who want to invest in areas such as property from overseas face higher stamp duty rates.

There are also additional worries about Labour adding VAT to private school fees and there are concerns that it may raise capital gains tax.
When they all bugger off with the money, who's paying the benefits/ NHS/ Asylum bills.

[Andy_Faber]

There are also additional worries about Labour adding VAT to private school fees

There's a legal challenge being submitted by the parent of a child with disabilities claiming an infringement of the child's human right to an adequate education, which, she argues, can't be provided by the state sector. An interesting battle in prospect, and you can sort of bet that any such challenge will be well funded...

Ironically the ultimate arbiter may be the ECHR so don't go pushing for its abolition too hard Tricky

[Trickytreesreds]

There's a legal challenge being submitted by the parent of a child with disabilities claiming an infringement of the child's human right to an adequate education, which, she argues, can't be provided by the state sector. An interesting battle in prospect, and you can sort of bet that any such challenge will be well funded...

Ironically the ultimate arbiter may be the ECHR so don't go pushing for its abolition too hard Tricky

lol, ok thanks.

Why do I feel, there is a targetted war going on with the current Labour crew?
Pensioners/ private services/ having an opinion against the grain?

This is going to end in tears big time.

[Andy_Faber]

lol, ok thanks.

Why do I feel, there is a targetted war going on with the current Labour crew?
Pensioners/ private services/ having an opinion against the grain?

This is going to end in tears big time.

If you're suggesting the imminent demise of HMG you're having a laugh, you're just going to have to suck it up for a few years

[Trickytreesreds]

If you're suggesting the imminent demise of HMG you're having a laugh, you're just going to have to suck it up for a few years

Never said that. I mean trouble for all of us across the board, as kick backs start.
I still believe this plank won't last a year.
The Labour cowards who abstained yesterday, showed the feelings. The cheering after the vote sickened folks.

He will fall down from within, as just like the Tories, they will tear into each other.
meanwhile strikes and demos will come after the next budget.

[ramAnag]

Never said that. I mean trouble for all of us across the board, as kick backs start.
I still believe this plank won't last a year.
The Labour cowards who abstained yesterday, showed the feelings. The cheering after the vote sickened folks.

He will fall down from within, as just like the Tories, they will tear into each other.
meanwhile strikes and demos will come after the next budget.

Looks like the opposition leader is likely to be either Jenrick or Badenoch and I’d take a bet that Starmer will outlast either of them.

In the meantime…only seen the ‘highlights’, but maybe Trump’s new theme tune should be the Allman Brothers, ‘Ramblin’ Man’…great song, that I’m sure he wouldn’t get permission to use, but what a clown! As if his Covid nonsense wasn’t stupid enough he’s now surpassed even that.
More fitting that he should be sectioned than allowed to run for President…imo.