To think that with over 1million pensioners in poverty, removing the WFA makes Labour the nasty party, who tell blatant lies?

[TealTraybake]

And hypocritical lies at that. Just a few months ago Labour ‘vowed to be the party for pensioners’

‘Nearly 1 million people aged over 66 in the UK are living in deprivation, according to government statistics, the highest number since comparable records began.
Labour, which analysed figures from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) records, has vowed to be the party for pensioners, with plans to insulate millions of homes and reduce energy bills. It has also “committed to retaining” the triple lock which guarantees annual rises to the state pension’

I understand the WFA should be means tested - but the current threshold is far too low. Food prices have gone up. Energy prices have gone up. Some pensioners need that WFA 🥺.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/16/nearly-1m-uk-pensioners-deprivation-official-figures

You are really struggling with reading comprehension here. Nobody is blaming pensioners, we are simply saying that pensioners will have to begin bearing some of the brunt of austerity just like the rest of us.

And yes, thankfully you are in the minority with your racism.

You need to calm down.

"I get what you're saying about people switching on stuff and the finances etc but I depart on a small group of people just over the threshold

And I ask people to talk to someone in that position, @StewartGriffin too."

@EasternStandard it's easy to be glib about racist rhetoric and people "switching on stuff" when they're not talking about you. How posters can spout on about kindness and having a heart about pensioners one moment and then start blaming immigrants in the next breath is appalling.

"You need to calm down."

@Scenicgirl hit a nerve have I?

My mum is. Hence why I’ll financially support her. I did always think those who shout the loudest have the most to hide. Turns out it’s true.

They came for the workers, the child benefit, the PIP, DLA, childcare; workers rights, pensions, student debt … the list goes on. People who felt hopeless and destitute and often frustrated. Many called right wing scum, wanting Nazi Germany and racist bigots.

Yet WFA removal? These so called “left wing” sympathiser who have spent years attacking anyone who questions Labour are posting some very, quite extreme right wing view points.

I've lost the thread of that argument, not sure who is saying what about immigration

I am asking that you and @Aduvetday try to speak to someone who is in the position I mentioned.

Just over the threshold, no partner, relies on the community, frail and not long to go.

I do have an interest in people younger than I am and what is happening for them but in return I ask that people don't just ignore the reality for some pensioners who really will be struggling

This. Doesn’t take much for people’s real thoughts to come out in this country. Then people pretend to be all horrified when Reform do well. Sides of the same coin far left and right.

"I've lost the thread of that argument, not sure who is saying what about immigration

I am asking that you and @Aduvetday try to speak to someone who is in the position I mentioned.

Just over the threshold, no partner, relies on the community, frail and not long to go.

I do have an interest in people younger than I am and what is happening for them but in return I ask that people don't just ignore the reality for some pensioners who really will be struggling."

@EasternStandard do you know what the crazy thing is? I would be hard pushed to find someone in that position.

I am working class, grew up on a council estate, first in my family to even finish school never mind HE (just painting a picture of my family and social circle), and every single pensioner I know is absolutely fine. Strike that: better than fine. These aren't professionals, they didn't have big careers or earn loads or make good investments. They are just ordinary people who happened to be born during a period of relative prosperity and stability.

Most of the pensioners I know have at least two homes, retired by 60 and are enjoying their lives.

Now the younger generation on the other hand...it's a completely different story.

It's so different to where I am. A mixed part of London with pensioners who have been in their homes for decades, their partner has died and they would be so lost to have to leave their home.

To give an example I bumped into a neighbour friend yesterday and we chatted to someone who is very elderly, uses a walking aid and is alone. There are about four other people in the same position nearby. Our neighbour died recently. Those daily chats for about four or five people are what stops the crippling loneliness crisis.

I do know wealthy pensioners too, but the split on this street alone is striking in the other direction.

Same. Although my mum is. She grew up with a background of trauma. I had to break the cycle so to speak. In-laws - complete opposite. A cruise a month. I do get how it impacts the minority of pensioners. I have to pay heavily to support my own mum.

I think the cut-off is wrong. Amazing how people miss this. Yet we just can’t afford the triple lock and the WFA as universal benefits anymore for what is a generally wealthy cohort. Quite the eye-opener that the working generation have been hit again and again. Yet now it is time for pensioners to also face choices - out come racist and extreme right wing views. The so called left wing values left in the dust and people justifying racism because old people. Absolutely bat shit crazy this thread.

I wanted conservatives out, but couldn’t bring myself to vote KS… He’s such a stuck up douche who, like the rest of them doesn’t care about us … my 98 year old nan won’t qualify for the WFA under the new rules!

@Scenicgirl There are an awful lot of people in this country who could work but choose not to so to attack people who have paid their taxes is a bit much.

Not every pensioner will have paid much tax. You can’t generalise so many working age people are lazy, choose not to work, and then at the same time claim everyone over the age of 65 has automatically had a life of hard work and paid lots in tax.

Clearly I’ve not been paying attention. Where are there ‘racist’ and ‘extreme right wing views’ on this thread?
So many posts.

I think there is a consensus that no one wants universal WFA.

Most people agree the threshold for it is too low.

Most people seem to be able to see that approx 1 million pensioners who need it, won’t receive it.

So this is clearly, a Keir Starmer / Labour Party Fail.

They need to apologise and update their strategy accordingly.

This isn’t about young vs old. Haves and have nots. It is simply (one would think) about looking after those pensioners who need it.

I’m really not sure what people have to gain (here) by twisting the facts to suit their narrative.

"Not every pensioner will have paid much tax. You can’t generalise so many working age people are lazy, choose not to work, and then at the same time claim everyone over the age of 65 has automatically had a life of hard work and paid lots in tax."

@Mooneywoo didn't you get the memo? Pensioners are saints and the rest of us are feckless and workshy.

I really don't understand the world @StewartGriffin comes from. Where do you come from that most pensioners own two properties, Stewart?

We're considered well-enough off to get by without hand outs, and have a nice enough life but we definitely don't have a second home. What we own we bought with money we earned after tax was paid on the income we spent to pay for it. I do not begrudge paying my dues to society for education and health and transport and defence. We are still supporting a DC starting to find their feet in adult life with the cost of rent in the SE and living without complaint. Yes, I know that we are successful to be able to do this, but we did not grow up privileged. We just worked our socks off from our 20s to our 60s.

That doesn’t compute. I don’t know anyone who retired at 60 or who owns two homes and all the pensioners I know were professionals and earned decent money. None of us need or will miss the WFA so these pensioners you know won’t be affected but it’s hardly difficult to understand that there are some for whom losing it will mean a great deal.

To be fair close to 1/3 of pensioners have a second home. Not “most” but not an insignificant number.

Let's just say I grew up in London and know A LOT of pensioners who took advantage of the right to buy scheme and used the profits from the eventual sales to set themselves up for life in numerous ways.

One pensioner I know now lives in a five bed detached with a swimming pool in France. Bought from the proceeds of selling a previously council-owned flat in London. She will have been receiving WFA.

Well said.
Don't waste your time on him, he's a wind up merchant!

She will have been receiving WFA

And will continue to do so. Unlike the pensioner in the UK living on £12k.

Ok but you're still ignoring the other end of the spectrum

@Scenicgirl I find it so interesting that you consistently tag and reply to me yet never answer my questions.

And I'm a woman by the way.

What? Absolutely not true. It’s about 1/12 over 60’s have a second home. Definitely not 1/3!! That’s crazy talk.

I’m a kingfisher.

They're not the ones most of us know then! I was quite keen on the article in today's Sunday Times that says you can buy abandoned properties in Japan for £5000. Plus the cost of renovation. Even I could find that much! Possibly come up short on the building know how for the refurb.