[arista]

[Some believe that it was intrinsically inept
to target a benefit paid to pensioners.
Others believe the threshold should
have been set higher so that
fewer pensioners lost out.
Another group say that if
the Budget - with a big tax rise and funding boost
for public services - had come at the same time,
it would have made the winter fuel policy less isolated
and as a result less controversial.]




[The details will follow in the
Budget this autumn.
But make no mistake, this is a U-turn.
The decision to means-test the
winter fuel allowance was one of
the first announcements made by
Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
almost a year ago.

It was intended to demonstrate both
the dire state of the government's
economic inheritance and the new
regime's willingness to take
tough decisions in response.
It didn't quite turn out that way.
Early grumblings from MPs generally
on the Labour left rapidly spread into
more unexpected parts of the party.
Even those MPs who made a decent fist
of defending the policy right
to the end admitted that it was
the most frequently raised issue
by members of the public when
they were out campaigning.]


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj933dngwlyo

[Zizu]

Will it be back paid

[joeysteele]

A lot to wait and see if it is, plus what the new thinking is.

However whatever it is, a U turn, or change of heart or at last realisation that it was an obnoxious thing to even think of let alone do.
Or more it's because of likely the messaging from voters in the recent local elections.
Because Ms Reeves has always dismissed those in the party who always complained about this policy.

I'll however happily welcome the alteration to reverse it.

Although I personally still do not think that winter fuel payment should have ever been paid to ALL of pension age.
Millionaires and billionaires certainly don't need it and should never have got it.

U-turn or whatever, just change it, that's the right and good thing to do.

[Ammi]

..first their fuel allowance and now they’re down in chat and games division…?…poor pensioners can’t catch a break…

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..first their fuel allowance and now they’re down in chat and games division…?…poor pensioners can’t catch a break…

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

A lot to wait and see if it is, plus what the new thinking is.

However whatever it is, a U turn, or change of heart or at last realisation that it was an obnoxious thing to even think of let alone do.
Or more it's because of likely the messaging from voters in the recent local elections.
Because Ms Reeves has always dismissed those in the party who always complained about this policy.

I'll however happily welcome the alteration to reverse it.

Although I personally still do not think that winter fuel payment should have ever been paid to ALL of pension age.
Millionaires and billionaires certainly don't need it and should never have got it.

U-turn or whatever, just change it, that's the right and good thing to do.

Martin Lewis suggested a way of means testing that would tie in with Council tax so winter fuel to be paid to those in properties A to D that said not sure how they would send winter fuel allowance to those living abroad under that measure

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..first their fuel allowance and now they’re down in chat and games division…?…poor pensioners can’t catch a break…

[Beso]

What about rayners leaked document to the treasury..with all her plans.


Do we have a thread on that yet.

I just can't keep up with it all.

[arista]

[arista]

[arista]

[Vanessa]

Too late. They've already pissed off most of the voters

[Zizu]

Will there ever be a time where we are governed by a central committee of Non Political Parties ?


They simply don’t work so why do we persist

[joeysteele]

It's a wiser move and welcome.
However until I see the real detail, I'll reserve praise.

Although I'm glad it appears that this Chancellor has been MADE to listen at last.
It's an atrociously hurtful policy.
Just like Thatchers destructive poll tax was and the Con/LibDem coalitions shocking bedroom tax policy too.

Putting this wrong to be corrected, IF they really are, is welcome and I'll applaud every kind of U-turn such as this could be..
Listening is important.
This government hadn't done much of that in its FIRST year.
IF they will listen more in the next 4+ years they have.
That could be much better and welcomed even more.

[The Slim Reaper]

Originally Posted by Beso

What about rayners leaked document to the treasury..with all her plans.


Do we have a thread on that yet.

I just can't keep up with it all.

More than likely leaked by Reeves. They are all jostling for position as there will be a leadership challenge, probably in July 2026.

They're all truly horrible people.

[The Slim Reaper]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

It's a wiser move and welcome.
However until I see the real detail, I'll reserve praise.

Although I'm glad it appears that this Chancellor has been MADE to listen at last.
It's an atrociously hurtful policy.
Just like Thatchers destructive poll tax was and the Con/LibDem coalitions shocking bedroom tax policy too.

Putting this wrong to be corrected, IF they really are, is welcome and I'll applaud every kind of U-turn such as this could be..
Listening is important.
This government hadn't done much of that in its FIRST year.
IF they will listen more in the next 4+ years they have.
That could be much better and welcomed even more.

Why do this to yourself, Joey? They show you who they are every single day.

[bots]

The simple fact is that this government is happy to disadvantage the vulnerable. That sentiment doesn't change with a u turn. They are doing it because the lost voters and want to remain in power so that they can attack the vulnerable at a later date

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bots

The simple fact is that this government is happy to disadvantage the vulnerable. That sentiment doesn't change with a u turn. They are doing it because the lost voters and want to remain in power so that they can attack the vulnerable at a later date

Yep telling us they are listening is laughable..they only listened when they got a proper trouncing at the ballot box ...any government that can seek to fill a deficit off the backs of pensioners and the disabled are not to be trusted

As an aside Rachel Reeves and her mob spent 66k on a Holly to China in their business class seats ... thought there was no money ...and yes it's chump change in the grand scheme of things ... but that old saying .. look after the pennies never rang more true

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Yep telling us they are listening is laughable..they only listened when they got a proper trouncing at the ballot box ...any government that can seek to fill a deficit ifc the backs of pensioners and the disabled are not to be trusted

As an aside Rachel Reeves and her mob spent 66k on a Holly to China in their business class seats ... thought there was no money ...and yes it's chump change in the grand scheme of things ... but that old saying .. look after the pennies never rang more true

Yes too little too late. And when are they going to start targeting the rich instead of the poor?

[The Slim Reaper]

The main problem, is that reform will win the next general, and regardless of what anyone thinks about their anti-immigration stance, they have no interest in rightly protecting vulnerable people. The NHS will be swapped for a US private insurance system (which is the leading cause of bankruptcy over there), tax cuts for the rich will will force more austerity, and that's about it. Farage will implement all of the things that trump is doing to make americans poorer, and things will get very dark indeed in this country.

[Beso]

Originally Posted by The Slim Reaper

More than likely leaked by Reeves. They are all jostling for position as there will be a leadership challenge, probably in July 2026.

They're all truly horrible people.