Forum Topic

Health Secretary says  to Pensioners turn on ur Heating

What a CheekAfter cutting  the  WFA and  Kicking Social Care  down the  road again after it was in its manifesto.😤😤

John Kennedy ● 49d39 Comments

It would be interesting to know how well off those 100 year olds were in 1900.  How many people do you you know who are over 100?

Philippa Bond ● 32d

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/

Philippa Bond ● 33d

Over 25 m.p.h. in a new 20 mph zone (26 in my case).After this heinous crime, no word from the old bill, but Speed awareness course, which costs, with unblemished licence.  Passed the course summa cum laude.Of course major offences such as entering an empty bus lane also act as a good income generator

James Roy ● 45d

Andrew, do you consider speeding a 'minor' offence?https://insurance-edge.net/2024/11/15/european-speeding-fines-from-40-to-476-euros-penalties-vary/

Andrew Jones ● 45d

Tax has to be balanced against many other factors, my own belief is that we are highly taxed when balanced against salary, cost of living, property prices etc, then someone came on and said we are a low taxed country so I was asking to name another country taking into account all the factors. So far no one has given a like for like comparison. If salaries go up then the money has to be spent wisely to improve everyone’s lives.

Jayne Thorburn ● 45d

But any mention of 'higher salary levels' in the UK and our 'business lobby' displays collective outrage at such a thing, as they do with decent working conditions and the rest, as being an attack on their profits and an insult to their shareholders. 'Starmer's pay free for all!'

Peter Evans ● 45d

Any suggestions which countries charge more tax, similar salary levels, cost of living and property prices than the UK?

Jayne Thorburn ● 45d

I should add the same applies to Germany higher salary levels and forget Scandinavia small populations, again higher salaries and much better social services which is only easy in smaller population size.

Jayne Thorburn ● 45d

I also stated comparable salaries if you take France a similar role earns at least 50% more than the UK. Cost of living is cheaper including housing costs. Obviously not including Paris. I am talking comparable across the board not just tax. Whilst French employees pay more in various tax components example those that are employed expect the company the fund the top up insurance towards their health insurance, yes correct their health contributions covers 70% of their cost towards and require a top up insurance plan to cover the rest. So if you balance it all out the UK is highly taxes compared to salary levels.

Jayne Thorburn ● 45d

These comparisons may be misleading. Although tax rates in the UK may be lower than some countries we face a range of higher charges directly or indirectly levied by government which are effectively taxes for instance water rates, higher public transport fares, higher energy bills and a much greater level of fines for various minor offences. Of course there are some offset to this — such as no requirement for medical insurance. However, I don't think the UK can be described as a low cost country.

Andrew OSullivan ● 45d

Sorry, Jayne, but you are completely wrong. UK tax as a percentage of GDP is much smaller than in most other Western European countries.See https://ifs.org.uk/taxlab/taxlab-key-questions/how-do-uk-tax-revenues-compare-internationally

Robert Fish ● 46d

Philippa which countries of comparable size taxes more than us, so similar or larger population, similar salary levels? we are hugely taxed our real issue of how the billions are spent.

Jayne Thorburn ● 46d

Yes I leave spellcheck on to stop me abbreviating to text talk on here as some don't understand it and think it's misspelling.

Janice Evans ● 46d

Or u R's

David Burke ● 46d

Yes 'ur' is test writing.

Janice Evans ● 46d

'ur' is something someone who texts is likely to write.We don't pay as much tax as many other countries.  Low taxes is part of Margaret Thatcher's neo-liberal dream of a privatised and reduced state involvement in life.  Unfortunately low or no taxes = no or fewer social/state services.  That's not a problem for the wealthy.  Some services are more necessary and difficult to go without than others and change is more difficult for some than others.  It can depend on how wealthy you are and how lucky you are particularly where health is concerned at your time of need.  Many people enjoyed but really didn't actually need the WFP and used it for other purposes.. Change can be difficult. When you have little money it can be  more difficult to decide the best way to use it well.  It's disappointing that there isn't more constructive input instead of just political.John - have you contacted your local Councillors?

Philippa Bond ● 47d

What do u think?

Keith Iddon ● 47d

What's this 'ur' heating?

Brian Coyle ● 47d

Plus I am guessing many people who do not take their pension. We all pay huge amount of tax in our lifetime but it’s how it is spent that matters and deserting people when they are most vulnerable, truly shocking for any government to target vulnerable people.

Jayne Thorburn ● 47d

There are also many people who pay into it and don't live long enoughto take it.

Janice Evans ● 47d

The other elephant in the room is where tax payers money is spent targeting pensioners in one breath and then spending hundreds of millions on illegal asylum is morally wrong. They have paid nothing into our society and yet we spend a fortune on hotels, benefits and the like. The cost of translators is ridiculous at least ensure everyone in this country speaks English. Pensioners have paid their taxes throughout their working life so should expect support once they retire. To draw the line at such a low level is appalling. Totally accept wealthy pensioners don’t need it but there are millions who do.

Jayne Thorburn ● 47d

I am not sure their heart is in retaining the triple lock either.It's there so that many pensioners do not have to claim uplifts to pensions, and pensioners can hardly ask their boss for a rise,get promotion or go on strike for more money.Allieviating child poverty and penury in old age have to be at the heart of any government's thinking imo.

Keith Iddon ● 47d

“ that as you need to make sure that the governments in power are ensuring that you are putting enough money in to get a decent pension at the end of it - ““And that’s exactly what this useless government ISN’T doing.  If they were concerned about future pensions they would be increasing National Insurance payments. But they are too cowardly to annoy the middle income people so they attack the elderly and frail in the hope that they will die off more quickly. A really, really nasty party with no scruples or compassion.

Courtney Gilbert ● 47d

I don't understand your assertion about knowing centenarians or reading about them...what's the difference to nowadays? How many do you know as opposed to those you have read about?

Keith Iddon ● 47d

Mostly they were people you read about in the newspaper and not ones that you knew.  I have an uncle who is now over 100 but never had a relation I knew of who was before.https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/manage-your-money/https://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/information-guides/ageukig30_save_energy_pay_less_inf.pdfhttps://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/information-guides/ageukig27_winter_wrapped_up_inf.pdf

Philippa Bond ● 47d

In 1900 there were almost 4,500 100 year olds in the UK.Now there are almost 14,500.The population in 1900 was 41.5 million and it is now about 67 million if you believe officiaal figures.It was far from unheard of to live to 100 in 1900.

Keith Iddon ● 47d

Pension age should have been put up many years ago and was talked about as people are now and have been living for longer for many years.  It used to be pretty unheard of to live to 100. No political party had the guts to put the age up because they were worried about losing popularity and power. Even when it did actually happen it became a scandal as many women were not written to and warned or not warned in time that the pension age was changing.  They then found themselves living on their savings if they had any until their pensions kicked in unless they could stay on working.  That is another scandal of the many where promises have been made and yet no action has been taken to recompense people for their loss.https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/ageing/bulletins/estimatesoftheveryoldincludingcentenarians/2002to2022It is well-known that it can be better to introduce unpopular changes at the beginning of a new government rather than closer to another election.  Unfortunately there has been a lot of messing about with climate change denial particularly in the Conservative party when we could and should have been working towards finding solutions to reducing our need for foreign and our own gas and electricity by finding good ways to comfortably and safely insulate and ventilate our homes without causing structural damage.  There is a lot of retrofitting that needs to be done as well as building new homes suitable for the future.There are exhibitions eg https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/ every year and there are often webinars to be found on Youtube.https://www.leti.uk/ have been working to create retrofitting solutions as we have so many homes where this is necessary.It is all very well claiming that you have worked all your life and paid your stamps but unfortunately you do need to do more than that as you need to make sure that the governments in power are ensuring that you are putting enough money in to get a decent pension at the end of it - and that they will make sure that everyone is paying enough taxes so that there WILL be the services there whenever you need them.  If there aren't enough taxes being collected then there will not be enough services available.

Philippa Bond ● 47d

Overall it is pretty ruthless behaviour from a so called socialist government, they should be ashamed at how they are treating pensioners obviously not all as thankfully we have many wealthy pensioners.

Jayne Thorburn ● 47d

Sadly Courtney (if I may) you will find that Philippa is among the most blinkered apologists for incompetent administrations. Her unwavering support for Ealing Council even during the years of Bell's 'leadership' is almost a thing of legend. She now has a broder stage the current central government.

N V Brooks ● 47d

I agree in principal with what yu say,but wfp is a benefit and not an entitlement,which the state pension is.Historically,the Labour Party have been against the stimga of means testig,but that went out of the window years ago.I would like to know how much more they have spent on new claims for pension uplifts which then entitle those claimantsto wfp, as against how much they have saved on wfp denials.

Keith Iddon ● 47d

Good point, and don't think it will encourage people to work and pay in willit knowing they will have all this negativity when elderly.

Janice Evans ● 47d

“ Apart from the WFP there is other help available to help with heating costs.Councils have extra money and so do gas and electricity companies - so you should talk to them.”So what you are saying is that under a Labour Government you are not entitled to a dignified existence. You are expected to beg for your entitlement and for what you have paid for in taxes your whole life.

Courtney Gilbert ● 47d

This is one benefits calculator but there are also others.  Citizens  Advice  also has one.

Philippa Bond ● 47d

I had meant to come back to John Kennedy with some links as many newspapers have them.Unfortunately we have a lot of badly insulated and ventilated homes in this country so it will cost us more but we still have to find the easiest most suitable and cheapest ways for us and other family members with their difficulties to keep warm.Apart from the WFP there is other help available to help with heating costs.Councils have extra money and so do gas and electricity companies - so you should talk to them.  Always talk to your gas and electricity suppliers if you have problems paying bills.  Age UK I have also always found helpful for signposting towards help.There may be other benefits that you and/or your loved one can claim eg Attendance Allowance - which does not mean that you have to be paying for a carer and which is not means tested.  You can also get help with filling in these forms.https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter-a9Ths7S8kqqV#low-all-dayWe use hot water bottles, have a fleecy underblanket and have increased our duvet weight for the winter.  We also close all curtains as soon as the light goes as the temperature outside drops suddenly.We also eat many more hot meals when it is cold and leave the oven door open after use to warm the room.  Slippers that cover ankles keep feet warm.  The microwave and slow cooker use less energy.Some electricity companies have been known to give away air fryers, slow cookers and electric throws.They say heat the person not the room but you have to be careful that hot air and steam doesn't escape and condense on cold walls in other rooms as this can cause condensation leading to mould.It is better to have some heat than none if you can or you or your loved one can end up in hospital with hypothermia.A lot of people seem to be wearing fleece throws with sleeves when spending time sitting down. Hopefully this makes them less likely to trip over when you stand up (especially when you can't see).

Philippa Bond ● 48d

Labour clearly had no plans to support social care 2028 this is pretty shocking. Clearly there is no easy answers as we have an aging population but to stop WFA for everyone other than on pension credit was utter madness and just plain mean. Pensioners have to complete a tax return so it would be very easy to say anyone on less than say 30K still get the payment. Totally agree wealthy pensioners don’t need it but 30K is hardly wealthy.

Jayne Thorburn ● 49d

I really despair for friends and neighbours (no longer any family members) who work for the NHS. To a man (or woman) they all look ruddy tired and on the point of burn out. They range from HCAs to senior consultants and I worry about their health both physical and mental.

N V Brooks ● 49d

Having stop the winter fuel payment it must be costing much more to keep all those elderly people in hospital and some having operations like my neighbour after a fall, fortunately he return home yesterday so our NHS are doing their very very best as usual under difficult circumstances once again. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Janice Evans ● 49d

Remind me, did the previous government cancel winter fuel payments for the majority of pensioners or was it your beloved (supposedly socialist) Labour party?

N V Brooks ● 49d

Social Care was in the previous Govt's manifesto!

Philippa Bond ● 49d