About Time, Agree Or Not?

[friedgreentomato]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2348486/More-100-000-expats-lose-winter-fuel-allowance-Osborne-reveals-plans-temperature-test-benefit.html

Personally I think this is the correct course of action - what are you thoughts on the matter?

[237SJ]

Well, that article says that richer pensioners who have moved to colder climates will still receive the payment, while poorer ones who have moved to warmer climates will not. That`s still unfair in my opinion. I think it should just be means tested for everyone.

[mikey4444]

I'm not entirely sure why they get it the first place ? As most of them seem to live on the Costa Del Sol, I wouldn't have thought they needed it, let alone deserved it.

[albaqwerty]

I don't they should be denied, they've paid into the same system, and if they've chosen to move abroad for whatever reason, it was their hard-earned which paid for it.

[maggiebee]

I feel that by moving abroad the expats have chosen a different way of life and will no longer pay into our system. Their pensions are protected, but don't think they should get any "extras"

[sandyRoe]

And if you lived in a very warm place you might need a little extra to help pay the cost of running the air conditioning.

[Davethedog]

Maggie - how do pensioners who are in this country "pay into the system" pensioners have paid into the system, to get their due.

Now they are easy targets for an avaricious government, eager to give hand outs to their rich mates at the expebse of the poor.

[jake-the-peg]

*after the next election*

No I think they should look at doing it now

They're not going to be in power after the next election so what is the point of this story?

Or did people not read past the first couple of paragraphs?

[jake-the-peg]

Oh and if the excuse is 'it's too difficult' or 'The EU won't let us' then there's a very easy option.

You make this the responsibility of local councils

You're in Spain? No problem apply to your local council for it

[emmie]

my only thoughts are that those who pay into the system should get some back, those who pay nowt should get nowt. It gets cold at night even in spain, not perhaps all year, but i visited a friend in spain some years back, the evenings were really cold,

[FredPuli43]

It's a specific benefit, a payment made for winter fuel in this country. Nobody contemplated that it should be paid to those who aren't in this country, and not paying fuel bills here or even in our climate. It follow that it should be denied to those who are not in those conditions. Saying "We all contributed" is no answer; we all contributed to maternity benefits but not all of us could claim them.

[ToraToraTora]

You should not get benefits if you choose not to live here.

[emmie]

so how do people who's families live elsewhere yet they work here, get benefits, for example child benefit. isn't that part of the EU remit.

[emmie]

when the children are not based here, is what i meant.

[Sqad]

On balance it is about the right decision.
At least it will please all the "lefties" who go on and on about the "toffs" living in the sun.

[emmie]

it isn't just toffs who live in the sun, it's generally those who have had enough of the dire weather, got to retirement age and decided to sell up and move to somewhere sunny, most having sold their property in UK to move, and for the last time it's not warm all year round, certainly not in the evenings,

[Sqad]

em.......anybody who leaves the UK to retire in the sun are "toffs" to the "lefties"......

[emmie]

well friends of mine who got fed up with UK, for any number of reasons, are not toffs, it's such class envy, haven't we got over all that nonsense yet.

[emmie]

so you would be doctor toff...

[sandyRoe]

Not so. If I had to describe my political views I'd say I was a champagne socialist. I believe everyone deserves a place in the sun.

[ludwig]

It seems reasonable that as it's an additional payment specifically related to cold weather, it should be based on the climate of the place you live rather than means tested on income or what you've paid in.