@divegeester saidYeah… like that’s gonna help!
Well I hope you’ll be ok.
Would you like some “thoughts and prayers” sent over 😉
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@divegeester saidThere is a campaign running on social media to get this song to No. 1 in the UK over Christmas.
You may remember that the incoming UK Labour goverment’s very first fiscal decision was to cut the winter fuel payment to pensioners. You may also remember certain posters such as Ghost of a Duke defending the policy decision by claiming it had been means tested via the arbitary selection of wider benefit claimants being entitled. But this is NOT means teasing!
Well it ...[text shortened]... s://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/winter-fuel-payments-pensioners-poverty-dwp-b2649951.html
Available on all the main music streams for 0.75p
@divegeester
Doing party camapigning on a chess site?
Good luck!
And no I am not in favour of Keir Starmer, but probably much less so of Nigel Farage.
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@Ponderable said“Party campaigning” it’s a song by group of musicians on a relevant political topic.
@divegeester
Doing party camapigning on a chess site?
Good luck!
What on earth are you upset about it for?
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@divegeester saidFirstly, it wasn't a cut to winter fuel payments. It was an end to 'all' pensioners receiving the payment. - You yourself have conceded that wealthy pensioners shouldn't receive the payment (which they were previously).
You may remember that the incoming UK Labour goverment’s very first fiscal decision was to cut the winter fuel payment to pensioners. You may also remember certain posters such as Ghost of a Duke defending the policy decision by claiming it had been means tested via the arbitary selection of wider benefit claimants being entitled. But this is NOT means teasing!
Well it ...[text shortened]... s://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/winter-fuel-payments-pensioners-poverty-dwp-b2649951.html
Secondly, Pension Credit 'IS' a means tested benefit and those receiving Pension credit automatically qualify to receive the winter fuel payment. (Making Pension Credit a gateway to the fuel payment). The 2 million pensioners who are entitled and yet haven't applied for Pension Credit (which starts with a phone call) should be helped to do so.
Why you don't understand that is beyond me.
(And the failure of the labour Government to do an impact assessment is a different matter and doesn't alter the fact that the fuel payment should be means tested and not just given out to all pensioners).
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@divegeester saidAgain, you're just failing to understand:
I refer you back to my OP.
You’re the wrong side of the argument and picking sweetcorn out of the poo as usual Ghost.
1. The previous situation of all pensioners receiving the winter fuel payment, even if they were wealthy and didn't need it, was unfair. (Why should a wealthy pensioner receive the payment and not, for instance, a young person living in fuel poverty). - The payment was initially set up for all pensioners at a time where the majority struggled to pay their bills. The world has moved on and this is no longer the case.
2. By linking the payment to Pension Credit (a means tested benefit) those on low income will also get the fuel payment. - What don't you understand about this?!
3. The 2 million pensioners not receiving Pension Credit (who are estimated to be eligible) should be helped to apply. - All governments have failed to adequately support pensioners to do this. - Not only will they get the fuel payment they will also get an average extra 4k a year. - Why is this a bad thing?!
4. Yes, the labour government should have done an impact assessment. - Where have I said otherwise?
5. My support if for a means tested fuel payment (achieved by linking it to Pension Credit). My support is not for the Labour party or how they have gone about things.
6. An impact assessment and promotion of Pension Credit (before the change) should have taken place.
Edit: If you're going to reply to this post, address the points, or don't bother.
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@diver removed their quoted postFrom the GOV UK website
Eligibility
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.
You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
You'll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.
In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
live in Scotland
have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
were in prison for the whole of the week of 16 to 22 September 2024
were living in a care home for the whole time from 24 June to 22 September 2024
So in classic debates forum engagement you guys seem to be arguing past each other.
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@divegeester saidOver there look, a strawman.
1) 100,000 pensioners will be pushed into poverty - you don’t care.
2) 4,000 pensioners will die of cold - you don’t care.
These are the Government’s own figures from the impact assessment of their policy.
So fuk you and fuk your pointless points. A-hole.
I accept your capitulation and inability to address/understand the points raised.
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@divegeester saidClearly not as you fail to understand the significance of Pension Credit (a means tested benefit) to access the winter fuel payment and a significant increase in benefit payments (an average of 4K a year).
I am well read on this topic
All such payments and benefits should be means tested, to ensure the funds reach the people who are entitled to it.