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Original poster

Winter fuel payments

420 replies

dearydeary · 21/05/2025 07:14

I have just heard on the news that this is being discussed again and they are considering reinstating them.

While I think that people who are on a lower income (pension credit for example) may need additional help I do not think this should be a universal benefit any more.

It appears the government is still looking for votes. What about everyone else in society? Younger people at universities or just starting out? Individuals with disabilities?

Surely we need to be moving to a more means tested approach as the finances need rebalancing?

Where pensioner need help, I am happy to support but many older folk have benefited from good pensions, valuable house price increases and a stable employment market. This is not the situation for many of us any more.

Have I lost the plot?

OP posts:
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Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:42

HarryVanderspeigle · 21/05/2025 07:37

I actually agree with the free bus pass. It is more environmentally friendly and means the busses actually run for younger people too. Take away the pensioners and those on minimum wage might not be able to get to work any more when the services are cancelled.

Well off pensioners don't need a universal benefit. I do think it should have been set at a higher level than pension credit, but no one needs it with a corporate final salary higher rate tax pension.

Show quote history

Instead of supporting free travel for a select group, many of whom don't need it, services could be more subsidised for all. More working folk would consider it then. Where I live it costs me £9 for a day return to the local town - we need a car anyway due to rural location so I use it because it works out cheaper, but I could get the bus for that particular journey. If it were £5 ish I'd consider it.

napody · 21/05/2025 07:41

Thelostjewels · 21/05/2025 07:39

They set the cut off point too low, they just need to raise it so very comfortably off people don't pay it.

Yes I think that was for admin reasons- ie it's easier to just link to pension credit. But I agree, that's what they need to do for fairness, and it's the best move politically too.

DiscoZombie · 21/05/2025 07:40

dearydeary · 21/05/2025 07:30

It seems it is like a free bus pass, not needed by everyone, but people will take it regardless when those really in need get overlooked.

Then many would just go down the route of applying for a bus pass because they're struggling to walk, see that well, early onset dementia. Do we really want people on the road who shouldn't be?

Thelostjewels · 21/05/2025 07:39

They set the cut off point too low, they just need to raise it so very comfortably off people don't pay it.

napody · 21/05/2025 07:39

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

That fire is a bin fire. Do people really think millionaires, or billionaires, need a couple of hundred quid to put the heating on? Do people actually not understand that the concept of makimg sure elderly people have the basic essentials is not about them and their private pensions?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 21/05/2025 07:38

Don’t bring it back. This country needs to move away from “poor pensioner they fought in the war”. They didn’t, they’re boomers mostly with assets, it’s the working families that need support.

HarryVanderspeigle · 21/05/2025 07:37

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:31

That needs to be means tested too.

Show quote history

I actually agree with the free bus pass. It is more environmentally friendly and means the busses actually run for younger people too. Take away the pensioners and those on minimum wage might not be able to get to work any more when the services are cancelled.

Well off pensioners don't need a universal benefit. I do think it should have been set at a higher level than pension credit, but no one needs it with a corporate final salary higher rate tax pension.

napody · 21/05/2025 07:37

I agree OP, and if you'd enabled voting I think you'd see that lots would.

RoseofRoses · 21/05/2025 07:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:33

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:22

Or just added it to their growing bank balance while pleading poverty.

This was supposed to quote @StMarie4me.

treetopsgreen · 21/05/2025 07:31

All governments appease older voters - makes sense with. an ageing population. Not great for the youngsters though who are unlikely to even see a state pension

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:31

dearydeary · 21/05/2025 07:30

It seems it is like a free bus pass, not needed by everyone, but people will take it regardless when those really in need get overlooked.

That needs to be means tested too.

Original poster
dearydeary · 21/05/2025 07:30

It seems it is like a free bus pass, not needed by everyone, but people will take it regardless when those really in need get overlooked.

OP posts:
Anedina · 21/05/2025 07:27

It needs means testing at a higher level than it is now, probably at about £15k-£20k.

Swampthing55 · 21/05/2025 07:25

My parents are minted and moaned like hell about this going. I transferred the money to them to shut them up and they never said thankyou. Cos they didn't notice it. Agree it needs means testing.

Cynic17 · 21/05/2025 07:24

It's a stupid idea to bring it back, because it just makes the Government look weak and desperate.
They had it right when they cut it as a universal benefit, tbh.

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:22

Or just added it to their growing bank balance while pleading poverty.

Koalafan · 21/05/2025 07:22

I agree.
It needs to be means tested or associated with another benefit/qualification for another benefit (e.g. income/health-related council tax reductions).

StMarie4me · 21/05/2025 07:19

It needs to be means tested. Every pensioner I know spent it on holidays or vets bills.

DeafLeppard · 21/05/2025 07:17

No, I agree.