Winter Fuel Payments To Go Except For The Poorest.

[Jackdaw33]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39956541

[mikey4444]

Just heard that the Tories are abandoning the triple lock....and it was introduced by them in the first place !

[cassa333]

And some pensioners hadnt worked for 40 years and paid into the system. Admittedly not many (I am not lumping homemakers in there) but we are getting to the point were it is predicted a significant amount of people will have retired on not very much employment history.

However I have always felt that all state benefits should be means tested.

Those that are able but do not work, regardless of size of family, should be given the least to encourage self sufficiency and not take the state for granted. Dependency breeds contempt.

[youngmafbog]

It's gesture politics, the saving is worth Jack once an Empire has been built by someone to administer it. Having said that I actually agree that all benefits should be means tested?

Now, as pointed out above, we come to the State Pension, is that a benefit or a right that has been earned? My take is that as the amount given is based on contribution is is not a benefit but a State insurance policy.

As for the triple lock, that was a pointless exercise, and yes Mickey they implemented it, realised it was wrong so stopped it. What is wrong with that or would you rather they doggedly pursued policies that dont work like Labour do?

[mikey4444]

ymb....I want OAPs income to be protected. The Tories brought the policy in years ago, because the State Pension was losing its purchasing power, and now it will start to slip back again.

So, if you are a pensioner, vote Tory and put your future pension at risk....its a simple choice for people in June.

[naomi24]

Make your mind up Mikey. Less than an hour ago you were in favour of means testing.

I agree with YMB. The pension isn't a benefit, but rather a pay-out on insurance contributions.

[Old_Geezer]

There will be more retiring on not very much employment history in the future as the older folk are refused state pension until they're 70 then 80 then 90 then 100 then .... and have to remain in the job until they drop denying a younger individual the position. (But no one claims that politicians can think straight.)

[Old_Geezer]

It's a right as a citizen. No society should let it's citizens suffer and pension is the scheme to give older folk the income they need. The triple lock was not pointless, it was a way to gradually increase pensions after they fell behind over the years. Means testing should not be introduced unless absolutely necessary. It is a humiliation that means many won't apply for that to which they are entitled. Paying all removes the stigma.

[youngmafbog]

Mickey, at present its not clear how the pension will be kept in line with inflation. The triple lock though was more gesture politics with only a couple of quid in it for an individual but a bucket load for the State.

OG, at present your reasoning does not stand up as firstly unemployment is very low and secondly you try getting a job over 50. Discrimination laws are still being broken there but no one cares - unless you are a foreigner.

[youngmafbog]

You could say that about everything OG, so in your eyes there should be no benefits - we simply all get them ?

[Old_Geezer]

1.6 million unemployed is not very low.

If one fits the criteria for a benefit then,, unless a good reason to means test can be made, yes, if you qualify then you qualify.

[mikey4444]

ymb..its quite clear what the Tories are proposing.

This will be the first Election, in my memory, when a party has pledged that pensioners will be worse off in the future.

Add to that, the Tories broken promise not to increase income tax, VAT or NICs, and we have an interesting choice for people to make in June.

[naomi24]

OG. Today's news is that unemployment is at its lowest for 40 years.

You used the word 'entitled', and in my opinion that's the problem. People think they are 'entitled' to everything, but fail to understand that, somewhere along the line, everything has to be paid for.

[naomi24]

Mikey, you’re spinning again. Maybe that’s why your posts often come across as somewhat dizzy.

[Old_Geezer]

It's the reason for society. Compassion. The common good. Individuals pay into the public purse to help those who need it. A sort of insurance for all.

[naomi24]

^That said, don't you admire such honesty? Labour would never have said something like this, would they? They promise the moon and then .... wham!

[Old_Geezer]

Tell me when we have 100% employment or preferably more job positions unfilled that we have folk who should be working.

[naomi24]

OG, //Individuals pay into the public purse to help those who need it.//

That’s fine. I don’t think anyone objects to that, but this is about giving money to people who don’t need it.

[gangesboy]

If the government also scraps the £10 Christmas bonus I will be devastated.

[Old_Geezer]

I refer you to my "stigma" post earlier. It was about not paying to those who need it.

[naomi24]

OG, society shouldn't be expected to pay simply to appease anyone’s sensitivities.