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

So you brought the specific figure up but actually you have no idea if it’s a high, low or reasonable amount?

So why no winter fuel allowance for the disabled or very young children?

I don’t actually understand why they all low earners aren’t entitled to it.

They're all shit

No - I think it’s unreasonable, I’m saying I’d need to look at the exact figures in more detail, however. Hope this helps xx

@Lizzie67384 so it’s ok to give doctors & teachers a pay rise?

I think there is a means-tested cold weather payment that isn’t related to age, which seems fair.

This...if this government are sadistic enough to do this to pensioners then they won't have any qualms about making changes to other benefits than families are in receipt of. First they came for the pensioners.....

Of course - everyone should have decent wages - but at a time of a ‘financial black hole’; why would you prioritise train drivers as a group who needs their salaries increased?

I haven’t said I would prioritise any particular job, I’ve only said we do need to pay better wages to workers.

Ask Labour.

Over the last few years there have been payouts, which have now ended

£400 general discount
£650 one-off payment for about 8 million households on means-tested benefits
£150 cost of living payment for about 6 million people who claim certain disability payments.

Your post re no reason doesn't make sense, have a listen to the reasons and get a sense of how many constituents are fearful atm letting MPs know

First they came for the pensioners.....

Oh good, a Nazi reference. That's not at all hyperbolic 🙄

Do you think someone on £60k should qualify for means-tested benefits when someone on £12k doesn’t?

I think child benefit should be universal as it was in the past, why not? People who pay more tax should be entitled to benefits too & we have major economic issues in this country because housing costs are far too high vs salary & childcare costs are prohibitive.

Of course, if the government actually believed that they are right, why won’t they publish the impact assessment on how many people are being pushed into fuel poverty as a result. The study has been carried out. They know the answer. They won’t tell us. Estimates are over 1 million people though.

How quickly the intent in his opening speech as PM has faded away…let’s reminder ourselves of some of it…

“…And that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect. If you voted for Labour yesterday we will carry the responsibility of your trust, as we rebuild our country.”

“But whether you voted Labour or not - in fact especially if you did not - I say to you, directly: My government will serve you.Politics can be a force for good - we will show that”

“…For too long now we have turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity…”

This, I would agree to means testing but what they are doing is awful, really cruel.

I went to a work reunion the other day. Spent all afternoon listening to pensioners telling me about their latest expensive foreign holiday. My mum's pensioner neighbour has her own detached house and also owns a flat in a nice part of London. I find it laughable that people would suggest these pensioners should have a winter fuel allowance.

This...if this government are sadistic enough to do this to pensioners then they won't have any qualms about making changes to other benefits than families are in receipt of. First they came for the pensioners.....

Thats already happened under the last government with an increase of children in poverty?

Telling someone to calm down because they have a different opinion to you? 🙄

I voted yabu. If the tories hadn't been a bunch of fuckwits pissing the countries money up the wall then this wouldn't be needed.

Yes and this government have just shown there isn't a limit on how low they will go.

Exactly this!

I can’t equate this to years of austerity & the impact that had but you can disagree.

Wow. It’s shocking they’ve all plunged into poverty in what, a matter of weeks. Can’t be anything that happened years before.

There are many other ways to save money than penalising pensioners, most of which are just over the threshold.

Seemingly, everyone now has a billionaire nana though🙄

Yep

Well people voted for the conservatives and Brexit and both have made the country poorer and a permanent drag on economic growth. We need to accept that the UK has impoverished itself over the last 14 years and has crumbling services and infrastructure despite record high taxation levels this is one of the many consequences.....

Tbh, having had it rammed down our throats over and over on a daily basis. I couldn't give a fuck that it's been taken away.