Winter fuel payment

[Phil xxkr]

55 minutes ago, GMB said:

True.   But the way the gov't at the time decided who got it and who didn't was arbitrary.  We lived in the South of France where on some occasions in winter on a clear night it could get down to -15 deg C. Not kidding! Mind you we were at 700 meters above sea level in the Haut Languedoc national park - well worth a visit!   SO--- we were not entitled to the WFA because France was considered too warm in winter because they took some tropical French islands into account ( Tahiti etc ).

FYI our heating bill was about 1000 Euros per year burning dry white oak at 50/60 Euros per stere ( a cubic metre )  Our 38Kw Cheminée insert was always on full belt from  1st November to 1st April .

 Now I see Gray 😱, you are the one responsible for global warming 😊 (except on warm days!) 

[Phil xxkr]

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

I understand from earlier that UK OAPs in Australia do NOT get any DWP increases 

Malc

Nor in Canada I believe, but Malta is in the EEA! 

[Boomer54]

2 hours ago, Malc1 said:

I understand from earlier that UK OAPs in Australia do NOT get any DWP increases 

Malc

There are some countries where the UK state pension is frozen and as such of course over time it is peanuts due to the long term effect of inflation. I have found myself indecisive on this subject as I can see validity on both sides of the argument. On the onehand people have paid into the UK system for a long time, but upon deciding to move abroad no longer enjoy the equivalent benefits of having paid. Seems unfair?. Yes they no longer reside here, spend here, get taxed here so why should they.

On the otherhand having moved abroad they are no longer a financial burden weighing upon our healthcare and social care services. So, are they being unjustly penalised?

Frankly I cannot make up my mind if either side in this argument is more 'right' than the other.

[Malc1]

7 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

There are some countries where the UK state pension is frozen and as such of course over time it is peanuts due to the long term effect of inflation. I have found myself indecisive on this subject as I can see validity on both sides of the argument. On the onehand people have paid into the UK system for a long time, but upon deciding to move abroad no longer enjoy the equivalent benefits of having paid. Seems unfair?. Yes they no longer reside here, spend here, get taxed here so why should they.

On the otherhand having moved abroad they are no longer a financial burden weighing upon our healthcare and social care services. So, are they being unjustly penalised?

Frankly I cannot make up my mind if either side in this argument is more 'right' than the other.

No point in us uk residents worrying about it and those overseas with DWP benefits 🤔

Malc 

[Phil xxkr]

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

No point in us uk residents worrying about it and those overseas with DWP benefits 🤔

Malc 

You're not asked to worry about just pay for it! 😕

[fourbanks]

keir starmer in his younger days 🤣

[Malc1]

45 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

You're not asked to worry about just pay for it! 😕

I really don't mind helping to pay for it for those in need

Malc

[fourbanks]

 

[GMB]

9 hours ago, Phil xxkr said:

Now I see Gray 😱, you are the one responsible for global warming 😊 (except on warm days!) 

Yes Phil. I am the culprit.  The strange thing is that in France and maybe elsewhere, burning wood is considered carbon neutral. I don't get it either.  But now we are back in sensible England where Farmers get arrested for taking trespassers to the police station because the police don't usually respond..... Doh!

BTW - happy days our lovely 7 year old IS200t just flew through the MOT and service again today with a 100% PASS. 🍾  ☺️

[GMB]

6 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

On the otherhand having moved abroad they are no longer a financial burden weighing upon our healthcare and social care services. So, are they being unjustly penalised

Interesting theory Stephen but I am not quite sure about how it truly works. UK pensioners ( fully paid up NI subs ) resident in France can get a form S1 from Newcastle which allows the French to claim back from the UK all their health costs. So they are still a burden for the UK in theory.  In my case it all went titsup when I retired and the social services said that they would now cover my health care as I was now a French salaried pensioner (having worked there).  I said No thanks but they said you have no say in the matter. They then dropped the bombshell that I would have to pay an extra 10% of all my global income to pay Social charges for it, on top of all the tax, despite the UK willing to pay. THAT was when we decided to quit La belle France.🐸

[Boomer54]

11 minutes ago, GMB said:

Interesting theory Stephen but I am not quite sure about how it truly works. UK pensioners ( fully paid up NI subs ) resident in France can get a form S1 from Newcastle which allows the French to claim back from the UK all their health costs. So they are still a burden for the UK in theory.  In my case it all went titsup when I retired and the social services said that they would now cover my health care as I was now a French salaried pensioner (having worked there).  I said No thanks but they said you have no say in the matter. They then dropped the bombshell that I would have to pay an extra 10% of all my global income to pay Social charges for it, on top of all the tax, despite the UK willing to pay. THAT was when we decided to quit La belle France.🐸

Thanks Grey. I was completely unaware of the issues you mentioned.

[GMB]

15 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

I was completely unaware of the issues you mentioned.

As a postscript the French state only pays 60 to 70% of one's healthcare costs, so one needs an " assurance complementaire" or top up to pay the balance. This generally costs a couple of retired folk anything from 200 Euros per month depending on the level of cover.  Back in the UK Health care is zero cost at source but it is not readily available. So just wait a few months until your issue is terminal and it becomes a win win situation for Keir.   Hang on I am getting negative and ranting  but it's true isn't it?  One good point about paying 60 Euros to see a doctor is that there is less "abuse" and foreign chicanery. If you have the complementaire registered with your carte vitale then the money goes straight back into your bank account within a couple of days. The tricksters and cheats get nothing.

SO, in summary, health care in France is expensive, but, if you are legit, you get fixed within the shortest possible time - at a price!

[Phil xxkr]

1 hour ago, GMB said:

Yes Phil. I am the culprit.  The strange thing is that in France and maybe elsewhere, burning wood is considered carbon neutral. I don't get it either.  But now we are back in sensible England where Farmers get arrested for taking trespassers to the police station because the police don't usually respond..... Doh!

BTW - happy days our lovely 7 year old IS200t just flew through the MOT and service again today with a 100% PASS. 🍾  ☺️

Your French compatriots are indeed correct as it helps the planet to become more greener when we have a dearth of CO2. As to the farmer my question is, had there been a solar farm on his land would the outcome have been different? Finally, I am anxious to know when the MOT rules changed to include "flying" machines? Was I asleep - do tell 😅

[Malc1]

Falling asleep is best 🌠

Malc 

[GMB]

Yawn

[Phil xxkr]

18 minutes ago, GMB said:

Yawn

I see that you are agog with indifference to our erudite contributions 😅

[GMB]

6 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

I see that you are agog with indifference to our erudite contributions 😅

No, I find the whole thing fascinating and thought provoking. What time is it?🤪

[Phil xxkr]

12 minutes ago, GMB said:

No, I find the whole thing fascinating and thought provoking. What time is it?🤪

10am, your carers are late it seems 😱😅

[GMB]

My carers have been deported back to Romania and taken my life savings with them, but, hey, they were dead cheap!💵🛫

Nurse get me meds someone is having a go at me🤕

[Phil xxkr]

14 minutes ago, GMB said:

My carers have been deported back to Romania and taken my life savings with them, but, hey, they were dead cheap!💵🛫

Nurse get me meds someone is having a go at me🤕

"deported"? You clearly are delusional, up the meds to twice a day 😊

[GMB]

It's already 4 times a day with whisky chasers.

[Phil xxkr]

8 minutes ago, GMB said:

It's already 4 times a day with whisky chasers.

More water in the whisky then! 😎

[GMB]

11 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

More water in the whisky then! 😎

We have united utilities as our water provider so I won't be touching the stuff.

[Malc1]

Always take the whisky and whiskey neat 🤞

Malc 

[Boomer54]

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Always take the whisky and whiskey neat 🤞

Malc 

Kier says you are "not a working man" if you drink whiskey. 

Ho ho, in our case he his right.