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Thread 1 Burnham: Esperanza en cada Corazón

1000 replies

DuncinToffee · 20/07/2026 12:45

New PM, new thread

Welcome to our long running thread for political discussion, general chit chat, a friendly hug and taxes in kind

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5552800-thread-54-starmer-grev-soppelbottefjes-sommergalskap?page=38&reply=153652516

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illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 05:50

TemperanceWest · 20/07/2026 22:53

Honestly, this thread has taken some odd turns today. I never thought I'd be arguing on here with folk who think pensioners, including disabled pensioners, should be forced to sell up their homes.

That’s not what I said at all. I said that I don’t think millionaires should receive state benefits. Sorry if that’s a controversial take, but the state pension is going to sink our economy unless we act radically.

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 05:55

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 05:50

That’s not what I said at all. I said that I don’t think millionaires should receive state benefits. Sorry if that’s a controversial take, but the state pension is going to sink our economy unless we act radically.

Agreed. Millionaires should not be taking khandouts, even if they are disabled.

State pensions need a huge overhaul, as do all of the free prescriptions, bus passes etc - costing millions. There is so much that could be done. Pensions need to be means tested and so does pip and all benefits.

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 05:59

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 05:50

That’s not what I said at all. I said that I don’t think millionaires should receive state benefits. Sorry if that’s a controversial take, but the state pension is going to sink our economy unless we act radically.

Let me put it this way, then. If means testing was to be introduced for the state pension, do you agree that the value of a person's home should be disregarded as it is for all other state benefits?

pinotnow · 21/07/2026 06:02

DuncinToffee · 20/07/2026 23:08

Alex Norris is Justice Secretary

He's my local MP. Promotion kind of explains why he didn't reply to email in May pleading for stability and no plotting...

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:08

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 05:55

Agreed. Millionaires should not be taking khandouts, even if they are disabled.

State pensions need a huge overhaul, as do all of the free prescriptions, bus passes etc - costing millions. There is so much that could be done. Pensions need to be means tested and so does pip and all benefits.

Edited

Good to hear your views. There are lots of threads out there on the subject of benefits.

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 06:23

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 05:59

Let me put it this way, then. If means testing was to be introduced for the state pension, do you agree that the value of a person's home should be disregarded as it is for all other state benefits?

No.

The biggest cost people face is housing. By the time you reach state pension age it should be mortgage free. If not, downsize.

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:31

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 06:23

No.

The biggest cost people face is housing. By the time you reach state pension age it should be mortgage free. If not, downsize.

So you think the value of a pensioner's home should be included in any means test? Just being clear as your reply is slightly ambiguous.

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 06:37

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:31

So you think the value of a pensioner's home should be included in any means test? Just being clear as your reply is slightly ambiguous.

I don’t know what’s so hard to understand? Of course it should be. Why do you think public money should be handed to millionaires?

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:45

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 06:37

I don’t know what’s so hard to understand? Of course it should be. Why do you think public money should be handed to millionaires?

I just wanted to be sure I understood you correctly. My post of 22:53 yesterday still stands, then. Because if a means test for state pensions included the value of the home that is exactly what would happen to asset rich, cash poor pensioners, including disabled pensioners.

I am not going to argue the point any further as I will never agree that such a policy would be fair in any way.

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 06:46

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:45

I just wanted to be sure I understood you correctly. My post of 22:53 yesterday still stands, then. Because if a means test for state pensions included the value of the home that is exactly what would happen to asset rich, cash poor pensioners, including disabled pensioners.

I am not going to argue the point any further as I will never agree that such a policy would be fair in any way.

Edited

Sell up and use your huge assets to support yourself? Why is it hard for a certain generation to do that rather than bleeding the taxpayer dry?

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:50

I am off to water my pots and ponder whether Burnham is going to announce a deputy PM or if he is not going to have one at all.

dapsnotplimsolls · 21/07/2026 07:12

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:50

I am off to water my pots and ponder whether Burnham is going to announce a deputy PM or if he is not going to have one at all.

I've just caught up and was wondering that. First meeting should be interesting - will Wes be compliant or a thorn in the side?

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 07:16

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 06:31

So you think the value of a pensioner's home should be included in any means test? Just being clear as your reply is slightly ambiguous.

Of course a house must be means tested. Some live in ludriciously big houses on their own - and should not be allowed to also claim anything at all from the state. A house IS an asset.

5128gap · 21/07/2026 07:19

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 05:55

Agreed. Millionaires should not be taking khandouts, even if they are disabled.

State pensions need a huge overhaul, as do all of the free prescriptions, bus passes etc - costing millions. There is so much that could be done. Pensions need to be means tested and so does pip and all benefits.

Edited

So, person A has the same qualifications as person B, and does the same job, working just as hard, both earning an average salary.
But person A has a disability. So has to spend a chunk of her salary on taxis to work, where person B can walk; adaptations and aids, therapies, that person B doesnt need. So will always be worse off financially than B simply because she is disabled.
Which will have a cumulative impact over her life time. Meaning she is less able to save, to look after her health in other ways, and generally more dependent on more costly services down the line.
The principle behind PIP is to try to make it so those disadvantaged by their disability are not at an even greater disadvantage by being less well off than an able bodied person in the same circumstances. That's why it isn't means tested.
It is also designed to have a preventative effect, the thinking being that investing at an early stage to help people look after themselves and be more independent, reduces costs on the NHS and social care, and in many cases enables people to work.

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 07:28

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 07:16

Of course a house must be means tested. Some live in ludriciously big houses on their own - and should not be allowed to also claim anything at all from the state. A house IS an asset.

I do despair to have to agree with you on something but this is it, isn’t it? Why should the working population of this country work themselves to the bone (and not get their own state pension because it won’t exist then!), to sustain a class of millionaires?

My parents own five rental properties, a commercial property, and have a huge amount of investments. I think it’s criminal that they’re able to claim the state pension, which is by their own admission “their fun money” and is paid into a separate account that they use purely for holidays and other such spending. All the while they complain that “their taxes” pay my wage as a public sector worker, and that they’re “subsidising my holidays”. Make that make sense!

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 07:29

Please can I make a polite request that anyone coming here to benefit bash should be ignored. Let them have their fun on the myriad of other threads available for benefit bashing.

SummerPeonies2026 · 21/07/2026 07:29

5128gap · 21/07/2026 07:19

So, person A has the same qualifications as person B, and does the same job, working just as hard, both earning an average salary.
But person A has a disability. So has to spend a chunk of her salary on taxis to work, where person B can walk; adaptations and aids, therapies, that person B doesnt need. So will always be worse off financially than B simply because she is disabled.
Which will have a cumulative impact over her life time. Meaning she is less able to save, to look after her health in other ways, and generally more dependent on more costly services down the line.
The principle behind PIP is to try to make it so those disadvantaged by their disability are not at an even greater disadvantage by being less well off than an able bodied person in the same circumstances. That's why it isn't means tested.
It is also designed to have a preventative effect, the thinking being that investing at an early stage to help people look after themselves and be more independent, reduces costs on the NHS and social care, and in many cases enables people to work.

The problem with pip is that it is being utterly abused. It is not fit for purpose.

Zonder · 21/07/2026 07:32

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 07:29

Please can I make a polite request that anyone coming here to benefit bash should be ignored. Let them have their fun on the myriad of other threads available for benefit bashing.

I agree. Let's get back to the spirit of these threads.

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 07:33

Oh FFS. I am off for a bit. Hopefully this thread will get back on track at some point. What a shame it is being infiltrated by benefit and pensioner bashers. Ugh.

PickAChew · 21/07/2026 07:33

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 07:28

I do despair to have to agree with you on something but this is it, isn’t it? Why should the working population of this country work themselves to the bone (and not get their own state pension because it won’t exist then!), to sustain a class of millionaires?

My parents own five rental properties, a commercial property, and have a huge amount of investments. I think it’s criminal that they’re able to claim the state pension, which is by their own admission “their fun money” and is paid into a separate account that they use purely for holidays and other such spending. All the while they complain that “their taxes” pay my wage as a public sector worker, and that they’re “subsidising my holidays”. Make that make sense!

Your parents' financial arrangements have no bearing on the ability of John Healey to do his job, whether he is claiming the state pension or not.

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 07:34

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 07:29

Please can I make a polite request that anyone coming here to benefit bash should be ignored. Let them have their fun on the myriad of other threads available for benefit bashing.

I’m not benefit bashing. Can I make a polite request that you don’t attempt to shut down any discussions you don’t like?

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 07:35

PickAChew · 21/07/2026 07:33

Your parents' financial arrangements have no bearing on the ability of John Healey to do his job, whether he is claiming the state pension or not.

And not once have I commented on the ability of John Healey to do his job. In fact I have barely commented on that. I’m having a discussion about whether the state pension should be means tested or not.

TemperanceWest · 21/07/2026 07:37

illbeyourperfectmrs · 21/07/2026 07:35

And not once have I commented on the ability of John Healey to do his job. In fact I have barely commented on that. I’m having a discussion about whether the state pension should be means tested or not.

You are derailing the thread. Start your own on the issue.

PickAChew · 21/07/2026 07:38

Right. Time for coffee. I have DS2's Tuesday morning plans to be getting on with.

Notonthestairs · 21/07/2026 07:40

pinotnow · 21/07/2026 06:02

He's my local MP. Promotion kind of explains why he didn't reply to email in May pleading for stability and no plotting...

Ha! That’s rather revealing.
I’ve had a nosey and can’t see that he has any relevant experience.

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