Benefits Again

[albion]

Kuennsberg is selling the 'Starmer is incessantly blaming the Tories' mantra.

But why did no one get incessant about Johnson and team being another 'Viv Nicholson' ?
It might end up being a clever start to main changes in a system aimed at taxing the high flyers who can afford to pay more, more and more. One hopes.

The standard pensioner winter payment is £200 whilst the last unaffordable pension rise was near £1,000.

 

[BoldonLad]

Kuennsberg is selling the 'Starmer is incessantly blaming the Tories' mantra.

But why did no one get incessant about Johnson and team being another 'Viv Nicholson' ?
It might end up being a clever start to main changes in a system aimed at taxing the high flyers who can afford to pay more, more and more. One hopes.

The standard pensioner winter payment is £200 whilst the last unaffordable pension rise was near £1,000.

I think you will find it is only those who retired on full (new) State Pension after 2016 who received the £900pa increase, those on the "old" system got the same percentage rise of course, but, a lower number in money terms.

 

[albion]

The full pension is £221.20 per week.
Those with less pension income get £218.15 per week via pension credit

So only those with additional private pensions and not on pension credit did not get that £900+ extra.
Contrast that £218 to a 65 year old on income support, that being £90.50 per week !

Utter madness?

 

[BoldonLad]

The full pension is £221.20 per week.
Those with less pension income get £218.15 per week via pension credit

So only those with additional private pensions and not on pension credit did not get that £900+ extra.
Contrast that £218 to a 65 year old on income support, that being £90.50 per week !

Utter madness?

I think we may be at cross purposes, are you talking about the £900 “cost of living hand out”?, I thought you were talking about the triple lock rise in State Pension.

I agree the benefit system is madness, it is too complex, with many distortions.

Pension Credit is a classic example, being a “gateway” benefit.

Is “income support” a thing?, thought it was all Universal Credit now?

 

[albion]

https://www.gov.uk/income-support/income-support-rates
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get
That is the stupid thing.
At 65 and soon 66, benefits are £90.50. At pension age benefits jump to £218,15 per week.
Yet the media is insincerely outraged by a couple of hundred pounds one off payment now missing for those getting above that £218.

Yet many 65 to 66 years will be losing over £127 per week, not per year. ( universal credit and income support rates are idential, most having moved onto the new monthly system)

 

[BoldonLad]

https://www.gov.uk/income-support/income-support-rates
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get
That is the stupid thing.
At 65 and soon 66, benefits are £90.50. At pension age benefits jump to £218,15 per week.
Yet the media is insincerely outraged by a couple of hundred pounds one off payment now missing for those getting above that £218.

Yet many 65 to 66 years will be losing over £127 per week, not per year. ( universal credit and income support rates are idential, most having moved onto the new monthly system)

Not saying this is the reality, but, wasn’t the view that benefits (such as unemployment benefit) were meant as short term income. State Pension was a “rest of your life” income, and, is to a degree, contributions based (not necessarily funded). This has all become a bit blurred now, as I said, time for a review.

 

[albion]

I wonder what the Morning Star makes of this.
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...y-members-form-anti-capitalist-pressure-group

 

[albion]

Not saying this is the reality, but, wasn’t the view that benefits (such as unemployment benefit) were meant as short term income. State Pension was a “rest of your life” income, and, is to a degree, contributions based (not necessarily funded). This has all become a bit blurred now, as I said, time for a review.

Any coming review will only be from stark reality hitting.

 

[BoldonLad]

Any coming review will only be from stark reality hitting.

Only my opinion, but, more sticking plaster is very likely, root and branch review no chance.

 

[Bromptonaut]

People with disabilities and on 'legacy' benefits which are boosted if one gets PIP are massive losers when obliged to move to Universal Credit.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I wonder what the Morning Star makes of this.
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...y-members-form-anti-capitalist-pressure-group

You can always ask its readers. Both of them will know.

 

[Ian H]

You can always ask its readers. Both of them will know.

It's better than your average redtop. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/

 

[albion]

This one is interesting, even if misses out that the biggest real danger is the Putin Trump alliance.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/art...-order-is-under-largest-threat-since-cold-war

 

[Rusty Nails]

It's better than your average redtop. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/

What does the other one say?

 

[BoldonLad]

Any coming review will only be from stark reality hitting.

I notice on BBC National news, is using the phrase “Winter of discomfort”, so:

Sunny Jim gave us the “winter of discontent”

Starmer (may) give us the “winter of discomfort”