Political Thread in memory of David Reid. (R.I.P.)

[sinkov]

"How Labour’s winter fuel raid on pensioners threatens to backfire. Chancellor’s decision to scrap retirees’ payments risks triggering £490m benefits bill"

"Labour’s decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners could trigger a £490m benefits bill, effectively wiping out a third of the savings it is expected to bring in. Rachel Reeves on Monday said winter fuel payments would be restricted to just those on pension credit from this winter in an attempt to raise £1.5bn to fix the nation’s finances. Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb warned the move could trigger a wave of pension credit applications – with 800,000 people who currently do not claim the benefit eligible, according to charity Age UK. In 2019, claims rose by a quarter when the Government announced free TV licences for the over 75s would be restricted to just those on pension credit, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. Extra payments of pension credit to 200,000 people – one in four of those currently eligible who do not claim – would cost the Government £440m a year. This group would also be entitled to the winter fuel payment, costing another £50m. If pension credit uptake is replicated as a result of changes to the winter fuel payment, the savings made by the move could be reduced by a third."

Lefty economics, welcome to life under a Labour Chancellor, Rachel 'Thick as Mince' Reeves.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

"How Labour’s winter fuel raid on pensioners threatens to backfire. Chancellor’s decision to scrap retirees’ payments risks triggering £490m benefits bill"

"Labour’s decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners could trigger a £490m benefits bill, effectively wiping out a third of the savings it is expected to bring in. Rachel Reeves on Monday said winter fuel payments would be restricted to just those on pension credit from this winter in an attempt to raise £1.5bn to fix the nation’s finances. Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb warned the move could trigger a wave of pension credit applications – with 800,000 people who currently do not claim the benefit eligible, according to charity Age UK. In 2019, claims rose by a quarter when the Government announced free TV licences for the over 75s would be restricted to just those on pension credit, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. Extra payments of pension credit to 200,000 people – one in four of those currently eligible who do not claim – would cost the Government £440m a year. This group would also be entitled to the winter fuel payment, costing another £50m. If pension credit uptake is replicated as a result of changes to the winter fuel payment, the savings made by the move could be reduced by a third."

Lefty economics, welcome to life under a Labour Chancellor, Rachel 'Thick as Mince' Reeves.

The really sad thing mon ami is the sitting government of the day do not encourage benefit claims and Jobcentres are ordered not to do so.

There are billions of pounds worth of unclaimed benefits because so many people just do not understand their entitlement.

Your former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb who warned the move could trigger a wave of pension credit applications should be pfhucking ashamed of himself for not shouting from the rooftops the benefit availability whilst he was in charge.