Energy Scandal & Pension Credit Propoganda

 

Reading or hearing the news would have us believe that 10 million pensioners will lost their winter fuel allowance this year. This is then followed by images of a poor old soul sitting in their armchair wearing their outdoor clothes, hats, gloves and scarf sipping a hot drink.

Let us get something clear, the majority of those 10 million (alleged) pensioners will not struggle this winter, many won't even notice the lack of the allowance, they leave such things to their accountants. 

Think on this ...

All of these people are pensioners, part of the 10m mentioned and they are not alone. Indeed, many of those 10m are reasonably well off. Not all, there will be still a large amount losing out but, many don't need the winter fuel payment. 

What other sort of people can we imagine who will lost it?

Lot's is the answer ... let's look at who qualified last year:

• State Pension age

  Those who have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, which in 2022/23 was the week beginning September 19 
• Born before September 25, 1957

  Those born before this date may receive up to £600 
• Benefits

  Those who receive certain benefits, such as Income Support, Universal Credit, or Pension Credit, may be eligible 
• Living in the UK

  Those who are ordinarily resident in the UK, or who live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country and have a genuine link to the UK, may be eligible 

If you're eligible, you may receive the payment automatically in November and December 2023. If you don't receive an automatic payment, you may need to make a claim. You can call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any questions

So last year there was extra money, up to £600. You will see though that looking at what happened last year, it was paid to a lot who maybe shouldn't have got it then. Back then, anyone with a genuine link to the UK could qualify even if they lives in the EU or Switzerland! The benefits link was only one way to qualify. Otherwise, as long as you were born before 25/09/1957, you got it. Everyone born before then got it (age 66). It had nothing to do with income or savings, a millionaire qualified as much as someone not working living just on their state pension. That figure, of those living outside the UK, is around 40,000, that's just one group from the quoted figure of 10m. Many of the rest will be those who as a majority, just do not need it. They get nice company pensions or have a business or whatever but don't need a hand out from the UK Government (us).

The unfortunates are those who might just be a tiny amount short of any benefit entitlement (it's not just pension credit). For them, yes, absolutely they will lose the money which also, isn't always £300. It ranges from £100-300 depending on age.

Now, where does the energy price come in?

Because, OFGEN set how much can be charged and then, each year the energy companies make £billions of additional profit. Then the UK Governemt taxes that profit to pay for services, maybe even the winter fuel payment. Wouldn't it make more sense to get rid of OFGEN and simply state to energy companies how much profit they are allowed to make and the rest has to come off from customers energy bills?

I think that's actually simplistic as, in truth, it means 'all' energy bills and, if it means that, it means millionaire mansions as well as a pensioner in a small flat. Or, could it not go to fund the payments too all those pensioners, over 66 who just don#t qualify for benefits using perhaps an arbitary £20 buffer zone?

What it comes down to here is that there has to be a line, it cannot be as complicated as personal circumstances, that costs more to administer than the money needing to be saved.

But, surely, the issue here is not winter fuel payments but, rather, the amount energy companies are charging us? For an example, anyone paying £250 or more each month will get their total bill increased by £300 a year, I know I will (more or less). If they were simply not allowed to increase it when they still pay huge directors bonuss  and make huge mega profits, wouldn't that be fairer?

Something just feels wrong here, it's almost like the UK media is controlled by someone, maybe someone in opposition to the Government, who wishes to spread discontent over decisions being made by over edging the impact?