imutual.co.uk

Story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48583487

Good.

The whole system should be scrapped, but while it is not then the poorest should get free access.

Is this the thin end of the wedge on "generational rebalancing"?

Odd that in the "5th largest economy in the world", benefits to the retired are being restricted - this comes after the "free travel" was restricted to nothingness in areas outside London. In Ireland, despite the cuts due to its near-bankruptcy after the banking crisis, people over age 66 qualify for free travel on public transport (ALL public transport, EVERYWHERE!), those over 70 qualify for a range of benefits from help towards energy costs, a "living alone" allowance, a telephone allowance, television licence, etc., etc. - and these benefits are available to younger claimants subject to a means test.

Given the huge increase in Passport applications in response to Brexit, it makes you wonder when those in the North will start to think they'd be better off joining the Republic full time!!

I would hope the elderly will refuse to pay it and stop watching live tv or use the iplayer but then again even if they do the tv licencing lot that "enforce" the licence is not exactly the paragon of virtue and are known to making stuff up on the 187 forms with them having a financial incentive to do so.

Another reason to not save for a pension. Just spend all your money then claim benefits

expressman33 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10 2019 6:00pm

Another reason to not save for a pension. Just spend all your money then claim benefits

I'm not sure there are any benefits if you get the full state pension?

Constantine wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10 2019 7:17pm

expressman33 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10 2019 6:00pm

Another reason to not save for a pension. Just spend all your money then claim benefits

I'm not sure there are any benefits if you get the full state pension?

Free prescriptions
Cold weather payment
Christmas Bonus
Free bus travel
Winter fuel payments

Am I a lone voice here?
It's only being scrapped for Well off pensioners
I mean why should a V rich bloke like expresso get it just because he's over 75?

expressman33 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10 2019 6:00pm

Another reason to not save for a pension. Just spend all your money then claim benefits

The "benefits" will keep you just above the breadlines.

Hardly wonderland.

macliam wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10 2019 3:11pm

..the "5th largest economy in the world"...

You're mixing up your comparisons.

The UK is indeed the 5th largest economy, behind USA, China, Japan and Germany. Clearly China doesn't have prosperity comparable to the other top 5 countries - it's the vast size of the country that puts it up there.

GDP per capita is a perhaps better measure of a country’s prosperity. On that measure, Ireland is 5th, with GDP per capita about 50% greater than the UK, which is around number 20.

Ireland also has a smaller proportion of over-65s – 13% compared with 18% for UK.

No wonder Ireland can afford more generous benefits to the retired.

The problem with the over 75 TV licence is that will have to be paid for by the BBC after 2020 and that is a disgrace.

It is hard to say take away benefits from all pensioners unless they get pension credit due to the fact many who would qualify for pension credit do not claim it. And sadly many of them do not realise that it even exists or how to claim it.

I know a number of people who get the free TV licence and all get private pensions that mean they are above the tax threshold.

On the other hand there are still too many pensioners who have to choose which rooms to heat, food or heat etc.

One was featured on our local tv news a year or two back. She turned off light when watching tv. That produced enough light for her to see she said. I would say that is dangerous as she could not see anything that could trip her up. But she said she could not afford to have the light on at the same time as the TV. She did not know about pension credit but the producer put her in touch with Age Concern who helped her fill in the form.