Phube Posted 9 January 2008 Posted 9 January 2008 Just found out that those pensioners who live it up on the Costa's all winter are entitled to the Winter fuel allowance. £200 for under 79's, £300 for over 80's!! It's a disgrace, not only are they rich enough to live out there... but it's not exactly cold is it!!!!
danny. Posted 9 January 2008 Posted 9 January 2008 but... if they have paid into the system for 40 years then I think they should have it. If they have sponged their entire life, then I agree with you. Although I doubt people rich enough to live out there have got there by living off the dole for 40 years. If they were big earners, especially if they hit the high tax bracket, the amount they paid in will have been immense and they thoroughly deserver a little bit back.
davieG Posted 9 January 2008 Posted 9 January 2008 Just found out that those pensioners who live it up on the Costa's all winter are entitled to the Winter fuel allowance.£200 for under 79's, £300 for over 80's!! It's a disgrace, not only are they rich enough to live out there... but it's not exactly cold is it!!!! With England being the 3rd most expensive place to live after France and Norway maybe it's just cheaper to live there, I don't think you need to be rich; rents, rates and fuel are cheaper. They might also be using the the Spanish health service, for example so relieving the burden. Although on principle it would seem absurd when you add up the pros and cons it's probably makes little difference one way or the other.
Trumpet Posted 9 January 2008 Posted 9 January 2008 But isn't the Winter Fuel allowance, for fuel / heating? Surely they dont need it out there. Give it the other pensioners who are in the cold.
hairy Posted 9 January 2008 Posted 9 January 2008 Trying to close that loophole would be more effort than its worth. How would the benefits office know they were living it up in Spain? Its just a cost of having a system that helps in the winter, relatively to the number it helps I bet the percentage is small.
Phube Posted 10 January 2008 Author Posted 10 January 2008 With England being the 3rd most expensive place to live after France and Norway maybe it's just cheaper to live there, I don't think you need to be rich; rents, rates and fuel are cheaper. They might also be using the the Spanish health service, for example so relieving the burden.Although on principle it would seem absurd when you add up the pros and cons it's probably makes little difference one way or the other. This costs us £10million a year... And pensioners who live in Spain get their medical bill paid for by the Government anyway!! Now I'm not against that per say, like you mentioned they have paid tax all their lives... but a Winter fuel allowance!! In a warm country... ridiculous!
Rincewind Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 Spain does have a Winter abeit not as bad as ours. What else can they live on? Their savings? The Spanish government won't pay them any pension or benefits. Anyway how many pensionors in this country actually use the allowance for their fuel bills. You still hear of OAP's wearing extra coats in the house so not to put the heating on and spend it on fags and beer or in many cases on Xmas presents for grankids etc. I think OAP's are entitled to reductions in fuel prices anyway.
davieG Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 This costs us £10million a year...And pensioners who live in Spain get their medical bill paid for by the Government anyway!! Now I'm not against that per say, like you mentioned they have paid tax all their lives... but a Winter fuel allowance!! In a warm country... ridiculous! I wasn't trying to justify it as such just trying to add some logic, but failing It seems to me that increasing the basic pension by the equivalent amount, and this includes all additional benefits and then using the tax system to take it back where necessary would be a more efficient and fair approach. Sure we'd have to deal with the 'tax' dodgers but there's plenty of them at the other end of the pay spectrum creaming the government for a lot more than £200. Besides the money they save employing all these benefit pen pushers could be spent employing more tax investigators or people to close the tax loop holes.
Nationwider Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 I wasn't trying to justify it as such just trying to add some logic, but failing It seems to me that increasing the basic pension by the equivalent amount, and this includes all additional benefits and then using the tax system to take it back where necessary would be a more efficient and fair approach. Sure we'd have to deal with the 'tax' dodgers but there's plenty of them at the other end of the pay spectrum creaming the government for a lot more than £200. Besides the money they save employing all these benefit pen pushers could be spent employing more tax investigators or people to close the tax loop holes. That is a very, very good point, davieG.
Daggers Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 I think OAP's are entitled to reductions in fuel prices anyway. I think the entire energy industry should be regulated a little more tightly to prevent them making ridiculous profits while causing hardship and suffering. And the water industry. And trains.
Rincewind Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 Those at the other end of the pay scale pay accountants to find ways of avoiding paying too much tax. Those at the lower end do not have access to that luxuary so therefore are targeted and are more easily found out. I'm sure there are ways to save me £10 a week tax if I pay somebody £200pw to do it.
Tommy G Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 but... if they have paid into the system for 40 years then I think they should have it.If they have sponged their entire life, then I agree with you. Although I doubt people rich enough to live out there have got there by living off the dole for 40 years. If they were big earners, especially if they hit the high tax bracket, the amount they paid in will have been immense and they thoroughly deserver a little bit back. Someone talking sense
Webbo Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 I think the entire energy industry should be regulated a little more tightly to prevent them making ridiculous profits while causing hardship and suffering.And the water industry. And trains. Just when I thought you were turning tory.
James. Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 Oi it's not just Spain I'll have you know. My mum and stepdad live in Cyprus and they get the allowance too. It's even hotter there. They probably just spend it on wine.
Phube Posted 10 January 2008 Author Posted 10 January 2008 Oi it's not just Spain I'll have you know.My mum and stepdad live in Cyprus and they get the allowance too. It's even hotter there. They probably just spend it on wine. I know.. it's the whole of the EU. It'a an EU law which states that no-matter where you live in the EU you're entitled to the benifits of your home country!?!?!? Strange law!!
Daggers Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 Just when I thought you were turning tory. Just as I stopped worrying about catching gay I now have to fret about contracting Tory? Oh God!
Webbo Posted 10 January 2008 Posted 10 January 2008 Just as I stopped worrying about catching gay I now have to fret about contracting Tory? Oh God! It is possible, I knew I should have worn condoms when shagging Ann Widdecombe
Phube Posted 10 January 2008 Author Posted 10 January 2008 It is possible, I knew I should have worn condoms when shagging Ann Widdecombe You lucky Bastard!!!
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