Genuine question re pensioner fuel payment cut

[Katypp]

Just this: How would the Labour supporters react if three weeks into a new Conservative Government, the chancellor cut the winter fuel payment to any pensioner with an income of more than £11k?
Would you think it was a reasonable thing to do or would it be considered cruel because it was the Tories implementing it, not Labour?
I would imagine Angela Raynor, Yvette Cooper and Wes Streeting would have been very vocal and worried about it.
Would the public finances argument wash if it was a Tory Government? It didn't when Cameron came into power.
What's different?

Here is another thought experiment:

Let’s say it’s 2034, a Conservative government has now been voted in. The number of pensioners is greater than ever. The triple lock has continued to ratchet its way up. The bill is huge. Under these circumstances, would you support the Conservatives bringing BACK the fuel payment? Do you think they would be prepared to bring it back, once they get back into government? Because if not, maybe there is a case for grasping the nettle and doing it now rather than in 2034?

My parents don’t need it and neither do my in laws, I agree it needs to be means tested not just taken away.

I actually also think there ought to be a review of income tax applied to pensions or raising the threshold for pensioners paying the basic rate as this would give the poorest with a private pension some additional help.

Oh dear, all these supposed charities that are going to miss out this year 🤔

Well, they’re also talking about reducing childcare funding, free school meals, and Universal Credit, so I think many groups will be paying a price, sooner or later.

I find it even more baffling that in London, the 63 year CEO at my company (personal wealth must be more than £20million) can use the tube for free but our teenage and early 20s apprentices (on London living wage) have to pay full fares.

Yes, cheap/free public transport is very important to low income pensioners and should remain. But it would be equally as important to low income people of any age.

I am a Labour supporter and would back Sadiq in getting rid of universal free travel for older people - harder to administer as it's done by councils not HMRC/Treasury though

It’s crazy that the London Freedom Pass is given to 60 year olds. It should be state pension age like free bus passes in the rest of the country. I know many wealthy workers taking advantage of this when they don’t need it.

It's the fact they've taken it away from all pensioners that's the problem. So people who are still on a very low fixed income but just enough to not qualify for any help will now be penalised.

The majority of pensioners do not live a champagne lifestyle going on cruises. Far from it. Most struggle to get by as it is.

Elderly people feel the cold more. They should not be penalised for something they can't help.

I think labour should raise the cut off so more people are able to get the winter fuel payment. While still cutting it off for rich pensioners. So those just over the 11k cut off and struggling can access it. Perhaps the cut off should be 15k or something like that. Hopefully labour will consider that when removing it etc.

Ridiculous statement

Elaborate?

Ahh the #be kind brigade are here. How lovely

BTW, free bus travel doesn't kick in till state pension age in some parts of the country, certainly not where I live.

Wrong. The new state pension is only £2 above the cut off for pension credit. Those on pension credit are better off than those on just state pension because of all the extras that pension credit brings

2dogsandabudgie · Today 12:24
MrsSkylerWhite · Today 12:05
Perfectly sensible. Millions don’t need it. My mum gives hers to a cat charity 🙄
**
Oh dear, all these supposed charities that are going to miss out this “

It’s not “supposed”. It’s a local charity in Somerset. She adopted her latest cat from them (irresponsibly, I think, as she has dementia). Why on earth would anyone make that up?

"We already give pensioners..."

Pensioners paid National Insurance stamps or had stamps paid for them while caring for children.

It's sensible, never agreed with it in the first place. We gave away our fuel help money last year too as it's wrong to spend taxpayers money on extras like this where the recipients do not need it. This is not the same as pensions which are something we earned through paying ni fir 35 years +

The £10 Christmas bonus can go for everyone imo. It's one of those things that are virtually worthless to the recipient but cost the country millions collectively. Get rid.

My ‘pensioner’ parent is fit, healthy, has assets in excess of 7 figures and has quite happily accepted their winter fuel and free bus pass for years. I have a number of other wealthy pensioner relatives who use their maximum 2 year old cars to drive to the outskirts of town, park up for free and then use their bus passes into town to avoid parking fees.

It’s been a mockery of a system for years and I’m delighted that this generation of wealth is no longer being pandered to.

Are they paying rent out of 11k or would those renting get housing benefit on top?

My understanding is if their income is more than £221 per week, there is no help for rent. I might be wrong though

I agree with this.

The cut off point for pension credit should be a levelling off . Those who claim full state pension or may have a small private pension alongside, yet little savings should be able to apply. £1 over the state pension and they get no help. This is wrong and needs to be looked at . I think a rising scale should be applied . The government need to look at this . How worrying for those with full state pension and little money behind them

https://www.almondfinancial.co.uk/pension-breakeven-index-how-does-the-uk-state-pension-compare-to-the-rest-of-europe/

2024 Pension breakeven index: How does the UK state pension compare to the rest of Europe?

"The UK moved up one place from last year’s report in the top 30, now coming in at number 15..."

“Closer to home, the UK has a system that is just above the breakeven point which means at present, there isn’t much room to manoeuvre for those battling the cost of living crisis. And while it is positive that the UK finds itself among the top half of countries, for how much longer is the question.

“Although the increase in the state pension was well intended, it works out at just £33 more per month compared to last year’s pension. It’s clear that those over 66 need to look at other options rather than just relying on the state pension."

We wouldn't need so much charity if taxpayers money went to those in need. More pets are given up in a CoL crisis.