Benefits Freeze To Stop In 2020- Is This Timing A Bit Suspicious

[gordiescotland1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50278634

Am I the only one who is slightly suspicious and cynical of the timing.

[Old_Geezer]

Why's that ? Is the Brexit bonus going to be available then ?

[cassa333]

Only if you’re suspicious of everything.

However it probably has something to do with the election lol But tbh why not trot out your good policies now. Labour have been promising the Earth for ages and only today on the BBC news website he is pledging millions for home energy savings.

They all do it.

[Bobbisox1]

A bundle of goodies will be offered on a plate,whether or not they materialise is another matter

[dannyk13]

On the news that some benefits, including old age pensions, will rise next April.

[aelmpvw]

if benefit rises are linked to inflation at 1.7% those in receipt of them won't be going on a wild spending spree will they?

[Bobbisox1]

groaann ^^^ More tax off my private or pension then :0/

[New Judge]

//if benefit rises are linked to inflation at 1.7% those in receipt of them won't be going on a wild spending spree will they?//

The State Pension will rise by more than that. The "triple lock" which is still in force determines that it will rise by either the rate of inflation, average earnings increase or 2.5%, whichever is the greater. I believe increase in average earnings is running at about 3%.

Why are you suspicious, Geordie? There is a forthcoming General Election. All politicians promise voters money and gifts at such a time. It's what they do.

[retrocop]

Lol. It's like remorse or a guilty conscience. They hand back a little of what they have nicked from the hard working tax payer in the first place. Not really a bonus for those who have worked for it. imo

[aelmpvw]

i was thinking benefits nj, i don't consider my pension a benefit ...

[THECORBYLOON]

State Pension IS a benefit, regardless of what you think.

[Rockrose]

Those on benefits and pensions will get a bigger pay rise than I did

[SparklyKid]

State pension is NOT a benefit. It has been paid for over many years of N.I. contributions and taxation.

[SparklyKid]

I am one of the unlucky many who do not receive any benefits .

[Mamyalynne]

Obviously you aren't alone in being suspicious.

However those on universal credit and jobseeker's allowance will at least have a better chance of not slipping further into arrears.

I presume their utility bills weren't frozen were they?

[dannyk13]

From the horse's mouth:-
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/11194265/State-pension-is-not-a-benefit-says-minister.html

[THECORBYLOON]

The "horse's mouth" said, “The law refers to the state pension as a benefit and has done since the war."

[twix123]

There is nothing suspicious about the announcement, if you read the article:

//The benefits freeze - announced in the 2015 Budget - was intended to last until the end of the current financial year.

Former chancellor Philip Hammond said in March that the freeze would end as planned and that the then administration had "no intention of repeating the current freeze".

He added: "When it is over, increases in benefits will resume in line with [the CPI rate of inflation] in the normal way." //

Just thank George Osborne for introducing the freeze originally !

[Old_Geezer]

I've paid other taxes over many years, would that mean any benefits I become eligible for aren't really benefits ? NI etc. is spent on today's bills, it's the entitlement one gets from contributing. And since society has a welfare state it's not deliberately allowing citizens to starve or freeze anyway, money will be allocated to that anyway, so calling it pension or welfare isn't that different. Best to redefine it all to avoid the weirdness of the present system. Tax is collected, it goes into the pot, income for old age is paid out of the pot. Admit that the State pension is really a benefit masquerading as something else.

[Old_Geezer]

One doesn't thank a government for choosing austerity and long term recovery over investment and kick starting the economy.