Winter fuel payment

[Phil xxkr]

On 8/25/2024 at 1:08 PM, LenT said:

MrsT and I have always been in this fortunate position - and yet have always received it!

When it first arrived I contacted the Pensions Department and informed it that we don’t need it, save on the admin and send it to someone else.  If our circumstances changed, I would get back to it.

A protracted debate then ensued because the Civil Servants involved apparently couldn’t accommodate this request.  So rather than spend any more of our diminishing lifespan arguing the point, we just accept it with good grace and pass it on.

I’m much more concerned that the various personal arrangements we made to provide a modest but comfortable retirement after long working lives will be targeted by a Government now desperate to buy off those who funded it and who wish to impose their version of social equality and freedom.

As one pundit recently pointed out, the Labour Party has formed four Governments in its hundred year history.  All but one have ended with higher unemployment and a reduced economic situation than when it entered office - the exception being the very first because that only lasted seven months!

Unfortunately, it appears that this is a lesson that has to be relearnt  every couple of generations. 

Speaking of another much admired Mrs T:

The economic success of the Western world is a product of its moral philosophy and practice. The economic results are better because the moral philosophy is superior. It is superior because it starts with the individual, with his uniqueness, his responsibility, and his capacity to choose. Surely this is infinitely preferable to the socialist-statist philosophy which sets up a centralized economic system to which the individual must conform, which subjugates him, directs him and denies him the right to free choice. Choice is the essence of ethics: if there were no choice, there would be no ethics, no good, no evil; good and evil have meaning only insofar as man is free to choose.”

Margaret Thatcher.

 

 

[LenT]

2 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

Too many of those that rise to Cabinet (on all sides) have trodden the same path, ie University, involvement in student politics, followed by a ‘job’ with either an arms length public body, party body, charity or similar. From there they become a PPC and then into Parliament. Thus they are seemingly ‘groomed’ for their political career without ever having ‘lived life.’

I totally agree with this Ed.

My point about Streeting is precisely this; he has had no ‘real world’ experience in running anything!  I suspect too that the political career path you describe is more commonly found among Labour MPs than Conservatives.

I’m certainly not suggesting that a University degree is an essential requirement to being an effective parliamentarian, only that a background in science or medicine would seem more appropriate if you aspire to run a National Health Service.

(It’s interesting that Margaret Thatcher said she was more proud of being the first Prime Minister with a science degree than being the first woman.)

Unfortunately, Selection Committees can only choose from those who apply - and then tend to select people like themselves.  The voters are then placed in the invidious position of having to support  their chosen Party despite any misgivings about the candidate!

[Boomer54]

3 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

I think it’s less about the subject studied and more about a lack of ‘real’ life experience prior to politics. Too many of those that rise to Cabinet (on all sides) have trodden the same path, ie University, involvement in student politics, followed by a ‘job’ with either an arms length public body, party body, charity or similar. From there they become a PPC and then into Parliament. Thus they are seemingly ‘groomed’ for their political career without ever having ‘lived life.’ There are exceptions - Angela Rayner being a notable one - but then again I’m not too keen on her either! 😂

The days of MPs having a career BEFORE public service seem to have long since gone. Shame!

One other point. Has anybody noticed how many MPs go into office with ‘normal means’ but leave office seemingly quite wealthy? I wonder how that happens…😇🤔

So here I am with my drum again . It does not have to be this way. Take major policy issues away from them. This is the digital age we can vote by referendum on such changes and win ,or lose at least it will be democratic ! Not determined by the latest crop of bought and paid for 'greasy pole climbers' However, a caution must be issued......

[Boomer54]

2 hours ago, Phil xxkr said:

Speaking of another much admired Mrs T:

The economic success of the Western world is a product of its moral philosophy and practice. The economic results are better because the moral philosophy is superior. It is superior because it starts with the individual, with his uniqueness, his responsibility, and his capacity to choose. Surely this is infinitely preferable to the socialist-statist philosophy which sets up a centralized economic system to which the individual must conform, which subjugates him, directs him and denies him the right to free choice. Choice is the essence of ethics: if there were no choice, there would be no ethics, no good, no evil; good and evil have meaning only insofar as man is free to choose.”

Margaret Thatcher.

 

 

Look I have a lot of time for Maggie, BUT she also came out with her fair share of crap, because like all of us she had core beliefs and they work two ways. They give you rules, discipline, motivation etc etc and then the opposite side of that coin they can close your mind and blind you to alternatives.

For example, in the above posted quote . In the event of emergencies, times of crisis, I can promise you a central control system will tend to outperform the alternative. You won't want people with freedom to choose you will want people following orders. History is littered with examples.

Hence, in this case I am saying as usual 'universal truths' seldom exist and when they appear to do so a la Maggies quote you know it is typically 'belief blindness' in operation.

It's quite difficult for me to 'poke' that Maggie bear ,because like her I am a great believer in the individual and personal responsibility which featured large in her approach to life and politics.

[Lmafudd]

4 hours ago, Scotlex said:

Totally agree. Many of them have very little life experience.

Nicola Sturgeon couldn't even drive when she was in power 🙄

No wonder she thought that all the roads were fine 🙈

I believe she was learning to drive in a nice new Camper Van! 😉

[First_Lexus]

2 hours ago, LenT said:

only that a background in science or medicine would seem more appropriate if you aspire to run a National Health Service.

Having worked in the NHS for a number of years (not any more, I left almost a decade ago) I’d say qualifications in stakeholder management, budget control and simply following the bl**dy rules would be more useful…😇😬😂

 

[Malc1]

Let’s not mess around with this Forum Subject matter 

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT 

We can argue to kingdom come about politics and the requirement that the Prime Minister has for selecting his Cabinet ……. *****’eads or nay, favouritism or just some sort of guided or misguided faith in that individual he appoints 

Each and every one of them will be shown up as competent and or incompetent at some stage and a drain on whatever their chosen subject might be 

We can probably have zero faith in any of ‘em to do a “ good enough job “  sadly 

it’s a heinous crime against the nation ……. but that’s the PMs role overall …… good or bad or even more bad than could ever be countenanced in a rational Society 

The PM chooses from time to time who the “ chosen one “ is to be …….. God help us eh ! 
 

so

 

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT

is the subject everyone 

Malc 

[Malc1]

AGE UK.  Petition

now at.    

445,469       Signatories 

Malc 

  

[Phil xxkr]

4 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Look I have a lot of time for Maggie, BUT she also came out with her fair share of crap, because like all of us she had core beliefs and they work two ways. They give you rules, discipline, motivation etc etc and then the opposite side of that coin they can close your mind and blind you to alternatives.

For example, in the above posted quote . In the event of emergencies, times of crisis, I can promise you a central control system will tend to outperform the alternative. You won't want people with freedom to choose you will want people following orders. History is littered with examples.

Hence, in this case I am saying as usual 'universal truths' seldom exist and when they appear to do so a la Maggies quote you know it is typically 'belief blindness' in operation.

It's quite difficult for me to 'poke' that Maggie bear ,because like her I am a great believer in the individual and personal responsibility which featured large in her approach to life and politics.

Then you agree 🥳🥳🥳

[Malc1]

AGE UK.   Petition 
 

447,569. Signatories thus far 

 

Malc 

[Malc1]

15 hours ago, Malc1 said:

AGE UK.   Petition 
 

447,569. Signatories thus far 

 

Malc 

AGE. UK.  Petition

 

449,015.  Signatures now  👏👏👍👏

Malc 

[Malc1]

AGE UK   Petition 

451,308.   Signatures now 

 

Malc 

[Malc1]

452,855   Signatures now on the

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT 

AGE UK.  Petition 

 

Malc 

[Lmafudd]

Talk of 5p per litre fuel tax boost now. Another blow for the motorist's to suffer. Maybe they want to keep pensioners trapped inside their cold homes this winter!

[Boomer54]

Could be tough love gone fiscally wrong. Given, longevity + equals Healthcare costs +. Based upon;

"Cold activates a cellular cleansing mechanism that breaks down harmful protein aggregations responsible for various diseases associated with aging. In recent years, studies on different model organisms have already shown that life expectancy increases significantly when body temperature is lowered."

Rachie cares, Who'd thunk it.

[Malc1]

2 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

 life expectancy increases significantly when body temperature is lowered."

Rachie cares, Who'd thunk it.

well, until DEATH  ............... and again, Rachie doesn't care a hoot  🤢🤢🤢

 

Malc

[Malc1]

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

452,855   Signatures now on the

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT 

AGE UK.  Petition 

 

Malc 

452,993   thus far Signatures 

 

Malc

[Boomer54]

6 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

well, until DEATH  ............... and again, Rachie doesn't care a hoot  🤢🤢🤢

 

Malc

☺️

We will insert a caveat just for you Malc. Cold increases longevity as long as it doesn't kill you first !

[First_Lexus]

 

[Boomer54]

15 minutes ago, First_Lexus said:

 

That's quite good especially in the way the talking head keeps coming back to his script line. What sort of irritates me about all of this as the information flows is just too typical of govt. Lack of due diligence, flaw in policy clear, no recognition that they got the policy operationally wrong, and finally no way back that now does not leave them looking foolish. Let's write it in big letters for them.......CLIFF EDGE POLICIES ARE OFT IMPLICITLY OWNGOALS. That is , in this case they set the testing bar too low and because it isn't an incremental approach it's catching a lot of people on the wrong side of that bar. Answer ,shift the means test bar higher. You will save less money, but most people will at least understand you are not taking money away from people who can afford to see it go. Hardly rocket science is it?

The other notable example of this issue was the WASPI issue. How can you lose 6 years of state pension simply because you were a day younger? How stupid can you get designing such a policy.

[Phil xxkr]

45 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

Could be tough love gone fiscally wrong. Given, longevity + equals Healthcare costs +. Based upon;

"Cold activates a cellular cleansing mechanism that breaks down harmful protein aggregations responsible for various diseases associated with aging. In recent years, studies on different model organisms have already shown that life expectancy increases significantly when body temperature is lowered."

Rachie cares, Who'd thunk it.

Fascinating quote from yet another" expert" no doubt! Perhaps they can also explain why there are no blue zones in the Arctic? 🤣

[Boomer54]

4 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

Fascinating quote from yet another" expert" no doubt! Perhaps they can also explain why there are no blue zones in the Arctic? 🤣

Hey, I have worn shorts through winter virtually all of my life and look at ME ! Oops.

[Phil xxkr]

8 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

That's quite good especially in the way the talking head keeps coming back to his script line. What sort of irritates me about all of this as the information flows is just too typical of govt. Lack of due diligence, flaw in policy clear, no recognition that they got the policy operationally wrong, and finally no way back that now does not leave them looking foolish. Let's write it in big letters for them.......CLIFF EDGE POLICIES ARE OFT IMPLICITLY OWNGOALS. That is , in this case they set the testing bar too low and because it isn't an incremental approach it's catching a lot of people on the wrong side of that bar. Answer ,shift the means test bar higher. You will save less money, but most people will at least understand you are not taking money away from people who can afford to see it go. Hardly rocket science is it?

The other notable example of this issue was the WASPI issue. How can you lose 6 years of state pension simply because you were a day younger? How stupid can you get designing such a policy.

And one wonders why people have no faith in politicians. Or this type of interview which serves no purpose other than to underline the former. Oh how we miss the likes of Robin Day and Brian Redhead! David Frost wasn't too bad in his day also 👍

[Phil xxkr]

8 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

Hey, I have worn shorts through winter virtually all of my life and look at ME ! Oops.

That's why you wear shorts, you are saying, "hey world look at me" 😅😅😅

[Boomer54]

57 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

That's why you wear shorts, you are saying, "hey world look at me" 😅😅😅

OK, I agree ,but in fairness my legs are exceptional. Funny story. Just walking along with my wife on the seafront (in shorts). Old chap walking along stops a few feet in front of me and says "You've got better legs than my wife" . Colour me confused, because I am seldom lost for words ,but in this case duh nothing !. Anyway, needless to say my wife was merciless for days.