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?

Me too. I was always worried whoever got in but I expected better from Labour.

They always said they’ll build on grey belt, ie reuse plots in the green belt. We knew about that well before the election.

I didn't.

There's a reason labour has only been in power for a third of the last century.

They're utterly useless

How about parents stop with tongues hanging out for every penny for the kids they wanted and chose to breed.

Somewhat ironically it is those kids that are going to have to pay the pensions of the elders.

Unless of course it just gets too expensive to have kids. Then we just have to import shedloads of people to do it instead.

You couldn't be more wrong.

There won't be any pension left by the time you and I need it.

So I don't care. I don't want to pay for someone else's kids when their parents can work and pay for them. Can't afford kids don't have them

No but I’m just pointing out the country has been left in a mess and finances have to be rejigged meaning some sections will of course lose out.

It’s not the kids’ fault is it.

Because its your precious labour they can do no wrong.

Is anyone else old enough to be reminded of Alf Garnett? 😂

People can get full state pension, an occ pen, other benefits, have savings and still get pension credit.

@BIossomtoes 🙋‍♀️

Fairly classic move to do all your unpopular stuff at the beginning of the term. That way there is 5 years to mitigate it before the next election.

So expect swingeing tax rises and benefits cuts over the next few months.

Of course if the Tories were doing it it would be labelled "Tory austerity" and "cuts by the nasty party/punching down".

According to Labour supporters though Labour should get a free pass.

except for they won't - families dependant on benefits rarely produce tax contributors. Of course there are exceptions, but en masse

Personally I think all free items such as prescriptions/Bus pass/Free Underground in London etc should only kick in at state pension age.

Not true - in what world do you believe that anyone who gets the full state pension and an occupational pension and other benefits and has saving s - and gets pension credit. It would be impossible for anyone living alone given the cut off is less than the full state pension.

In all of England, except London, you have to wait until state pension age. Currently 67, rising to 68. If you mean get rid of this for 60 year olds in London, I would support that.

The only one that kicks in for those in England and not living in London, is free prescriptions. The majority of 60 to 67 year olds are not entitled to free prescriptions except through this age category.

This is embarrassing

The Tories used it for austerity after Labour and Labour always said there were different ways of doing it

What’s actually embarrassing is the fact that there was no need for the austerity cuts. There was plenty of money when covid hit. Most of it went to their Tory mates.

Yeah I only worked in benefits for 17 years 🤣what do I know eh. There’s this thing, called an applicable amount and premiums. We actually had one lottery winner who won millions ask to retain their pension credit and they could as they had an AIP.

You can have thousands in the bank get and receive pension credit. 🤷🏼‍♀️You just incur tariff income.

What about a single person?

👏👏👏

My only issue is people have short memories, and won't remember this when it comes to voting them out.

It's funny how its 'needed' when its labour doing it but evil incarnate when its the tories.

This is often said, unfortunately it doesn't apply for huge numbers of pensioners. Sizeable numbers have been low earners who always rented. Others live in modest homes, they don't have the funds to cover moving costs, their property wouldn't fund the purchase of a bungalow or flat, as in my area at least these are more expensive than terrace and older small semi detached. It's only those higher up the property ladder who are relatively well off who can sell up, buy a new property and still have money in the bank to supplement retirement income. These people tend to have private/occupational pensions too, and aren't in receipt of state top ups. Those at the lower end are stuck.Their life circumstances simply don't give them the choices many take for granted. I'm sad that this fact doesn't seem to register with so many on Mumsnet.

This isn't being done simply to spite pensioners. The reality is that the country cannot afford everything. Cuts need to made somewhere. If not here, then what should be cut?

Disability payments? Universal credit? NHS? Child benefit?

Decisions need to be made and I think that this is the right one. As it is, young people are set to be net contributors to the welfare state, while current pensioners will be net beneficiaries.

Yes it's sad that some people will struggle with heating bills, but plenty of working people do too.

People are demanding more and more costly services (e.g. mental health provision on the nhs), but not coming up with any solutions on where the money should come from.

And likewise should be means tested. We can't afford giving freebies away to people who can pay for them. Even worse when people with higher than average incomes are getting freebies, and not even paying as much tax as a worker on the same income (i.e. no NIC!).