“We’ve spoken to age UK this morning. They’ve said there are 2.5 million people who needed the winter fuel allowance who won’t receive it because of the changes..They are saying they would be advising people if cold in their homes & elderly & vulnerable to go into debt rather than risk their health”
Comments
I am genuinely interested because I can't see how you do it without a similar form to the one for pension credit
It would need a major change to take £200 of additional income from people who receive £200. The system is more used to taking a percentage.
You are happy for anyone who earns up to £50k to get it?
What about savings over 16K
Where would you have started?
I am sorry but you dont understand the complexity of your suggestion
WFA paid in Nov24, declared as Taxable income in the year to April 25 on a tax return Jan 26 by which time it has been paid again in Nov 25
Companies already making record profit. We need to rethink how we ensure everyone has affordable heat.
#endlondonrule
Pensioners don't get up, travel to work, put up with someone telling them what to do, then go home again.
They have no travelling costs and put in no effort.
It would cost around £70 billion extra, what taxes would you increase to pay for it?
A comparison of state pension alone shows the UK providing a lower level of pension than most other advanced economies relative to average earnings".
food?
medical insurance?
You chose to pick one item in isolation, my point is that you cant just compare pension rates.
In France a kw of electricity is .26 Euros, here it is around 22p, not a huge difference
You may find this chart interesting
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263492/electricity-prices-in-selected-countries/
the basic pension in france and Germany is actually lower, though more complicated so most get more
You take no account of contributions versus pensions
You could argue for a higher pension but not for a top up bung for all
Energy costs this year are £190 less than last year
Can you explain why you don't think the pension is enough rather than just picking figures from mid air?
I'd rather a few people got it that didn't need it, than didn't get it and need it.
If you believe 2.5 million people need a £4 per week bung why aren't you arguing for the pension to be higher
(As a pensioner i don't have a problem, I am always intrigued at what I don't spend that others must if they can't afford heat
Would you still have top up benefits for pensioners?
What would you cut, or what tax would you increase to pay for it?
As a rough guide every £20 per week would cost around £1.25 billion
I am always here to provide guidance or mark your homework
Trust me, I have spent a lot of time looking at this since WFA was means tested, I can help
God I can't stand that man
https://octopus.energy/blog/bill-support/
Jan 24 £1928
Jan 25 £1738
Just £10 shy of the winter fuel allowance
January is more than expensive than October 2024, when WFA is means tested to paltry level and millions will miss out.
Why is this not the principle argument?
All you have to lose is your Non-Tory Govt.
Or do you just never feel the cold?
😅😂🤣😂😅
Arrrgh Life was tough!
So born to suffer.
Can you seriously imagine the elderly coping with the debt collection calls and knocks? I was also staggered when I saw the average arrears on an energy bill was £1500.
Bankrupting aged pensioners is absolutely not any kind of solution.
Bloody numbskulls.
New slogan: "Do harm, keep warm" anyone?
#LabourLies
The energy price cap is £190 less this year than last, or just £10 less than the WFA
A pensioner would have to find an extra 20p pw more than last year
Last year ALL pensioners were given at least £200 to pay towards the average £1928 price cap
This year they don't have the £200 but the price cap is £1738
How would you lower prices?
Govt borrowing to subsidise energy for all?