Which Benefits Would You Cut?

[hc4361]

The Daily Mail has asked. I'm very glad I'm not a decision maker as I wouldn't have a clue where to start.
I do think that state pensions should be taken out of the equation altogether, though.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3136020/Which-benefits-cut-Cameron-Osborne-extra-12billion.html

[Khandro]

All these proposals (well most) are quite laudable but they seem not to take on board the fact that they have to be administered. For example, the winter fuel allowance only for those who are not wealthy, requires means testing everybody, which would require enormous extra administrative costs, and what would be taken into account, life savings of someone who had been frugal throughout their lives?

[hc4361]

Khandro, I've already said that if the WFA was only payable to those already in receipt of pension credits there would be no means testing involved - it has already been done.

[sandyRoe]

If a school doesn't pay x amount of pounds because it has charitable status that's money that would have gone into the public coffers, if that status was abolished,, but hasn't.
Surely that means we are all paying to educate Lord Snooty and his posh cronies?

[dannyk13]

/// the winter fuel allowance only for those who are not wealthy, requires means testing everybody///
Not everybody as it is only paid to people on State Pension

[hc4361]

Nope, Sandy, because the children aren't getting the free education they are entitled to.

[mikey4444]

Khandro....I find that hard to accept. It should be easy to tell if someone is too wealthy to deserve this, in this day and age when everything is computerised. It can't possibly make sense to give the WFP to those that don't need it, and those that live abroad...it just isn't right.

[Svejk]

It's my understanding that British companies aren't allowed to tender for/profit from our foreign aid contracts. So, for instance, they are forced to buy Toyota trucks instead of Landrovers.(although maybe now Landrover isn't British, that's a bad example)

[hc4361]

Your understanding is wrong, Svejk. As explained in my previous link British companies do benefit and of course it goes much further than that.

[youngmafbog]

Sandy, for the few schools you are proposing (I'd still be interested where you think the line is drawn) just how much do you think it would make? Most schools are non profit making anyway so would pay no corporation tax. I think you are letting your left wing bias cloud your judgement. And anyway charitable status is not a benefit for the purpose of this discussion.

[youngmafbog]

Mickey, you dont understand how much it costs and the time it takes to amend a computer system. I do, and it 'aint cheap or quick these days.

I do however agree it is not right, but I am not about to bite my nose off to spite my face. These cuts are being proposed to make money not to satisfy a political desire, if it is costly for not much benefit then it is not worth doing - at present.

[youngmafbog]

Unfortunately that will never be possible.

Independent schools can, and indeed do, fire bad teachers. Local schools are stuck with them as NUT protects them.

Besides the actual education is secondary to the left wing ideologies. As for the labour MP's are you not aware it is 'Do as I say, not as I do' where labour are concerned?

[anotheoldgit]

There didn't seem to be any problem when the Welfare State was first introduced, why is there a problem now?

Answers on a post card please.

That old chestnut excuse, that we are now living longer, is not permissible.

[sandyRoe]

It can't be excluded, AOG. When the pension was first introduced you had to be 75 to claim it. I think then most were dead by 65.

[sandyRoe]

If charitable status is of no financial benefit to some schools why bother claiming it?

[mikey4444]

Retrochic....100% with you there !

[Gromit]

The old age pension costs more than all the other benefits put together.

So a small saving on that bill will be quickest to the £12billion saving needed.

[youngmafbog]

There are other advantages, plus they dont need to employ expensive lawyers and accountants.

Not just the living longer. Pensioners over the past few decades have enjoyed the fact the baby boomers were in work, these will now become pensioners themselves meaning the ratio of pensioner to worker is not good.

Like I said earlier, those of us 55 and under had better get used to a means tested state pension. There simply is not the money to pay for it. Unfortunately this means we will have paid into the system but will not receive.

Still at least we are paying billions into the EU to fund early Greek retirement!

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Then make it payable to only those who have worked all their lives and have paid into the pot on a regular basis

[Broseph]

Not exactly a benefit but we need to get rid of that daylight highway robbery they call "Stamp duty"