Winter Fuel Payment To Go ?

[mikey4444]

Labour have announced that they will axe the Winter Fuel payment for wealthy people. Its not really a party political issue as the Tories have muttered about doing something similar. This will save about £100m a year, which is a lot of Libraries. What do we think here on AB ?

Personally I am not sure why they should get it in the first place, just like Child Benefit. Handouts like this should go to those that really need it.

[jno]

well, that's the question, are they 'entitled' to it?

It's not supposed to enforce fairness, it's supposed to stop people freezing whether they've paid their taxes or not. That seems a civilised aim to me.

[Sqad]

Look....don't let's read too much into this.
Here is the scenario:
Election 18 months away, you are ahead in the polls (except for your leader) and the crowds are baying for your response on the economy...not criticizing the Government, but something positive from you, without upsetting your supporters.
Answer: take the Winter Allowance from the rich...........you lose no vote, cus the rich won't vote Labour and it is popular with Jake the Peg.
Yes......it is useless, but hey! the first shot in the Battle of the Economy which will inevitably follow.

[emmie]

personally i think it's the same idiot Labour ploy, bash the rich because the Labour supporters will lap it up, and they do.

[bazwillrun]

"THAT'S RIGHT ED
You get these low down "Rich" pensioners as a first priority, never mind that they are probably all paying £2000 to £5000 a year in income tax----their £200 rebate is ruining the country.
Maybe in your spare time you can also look at the £24 million a year paid in MP expenses---The MP housing scams---the subsidised food and drink you all consume in Westminster !. Not to mention the history of MPs fingers in tills.
Then maybe you can think about how to get Google, Amazon, Starbucks and Co to pay their taxes.
THe millionaires who just had a nice wee tax reduction. The CBI directors who club together to decide their own exorbitant salaries.
But do get the parasite pensioners first----that alone will fix the economy that you helped screw up !

[emmie]

baz, for once i rather tend to agree..

[jno]

why should Ed be getting Starbucks to pay taxes? Haven't we already elected someone to do this?

How's it going so far?

[emmie]

it isn't, but then why does Ed Balls not give more of his economic plan away for when they get in power, could it be that they don't have one

[Peter Pedant]

Think dog licence Mikey

[OK think tax base if you like]

It depends on how much the claw-back costs. A benefit for eveyone is v easy to dispense -
but once you say oh only some can have it,
you need forms to be filled out, civil servants to scribble yes ! or no!
on clip boards, a richness-counter-fraud service and so on

Libraries ? how many libraries have you been in where it made quite clear that you a member of the public are interfering with the proper functioning of the library wh is to keep the place clean, unused if possible and for the librarians to sit around drinking tea ?

[jno]

just wondering why people are moaning about the opposition for not doing things when there is, shall we say, a more valid target.

[mrs_overall]

em10

lots of spondoolicks into the overall pot

Yes, I would be happy with that