Restoration of Age related allowances - government petition - all please read

fluffybunny_2

In the Budget, the Government froze OAP age related allowances for those turning 65 after 5 April 2013 - ie, everyone on here under age 64 will be affected.

There is an online petition which has been signed by over 64,000 people already. If it hits 100,000+ the issue HAS to be raised in Parliament. Please take a few minutes to have a look

From the government e-petition page:-

In the 2012 Budget the Government froze Old Age Pensioners Age Related Tax Allowances and cancelled them for those turning 65 after 5 April 2013.
We consider that at a time when pensioners are struggling to make ends meet and yet are a group of people due to age, health etc who often have extremely limited opportunity to make good lost income, this reduction in allowances is grossly unfair. The Government should therefore take immediate action to reverse the decisions on these allowances which were announced in the 2012 Budget.

here - http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31778

My parents are both OAPs and find that each year their utilities all increase but their pension increases by only a small amount. During the last year, their utilities have increased by about £30 pm whereas their pension has only increased by £6 pm! Losing tax allowances will only have a detrimental affect on their income.

zygurat789

I think GO worked out that the over 65s probably have the lowest rate of computer literacy and ownership and, therefore, would not be aware of his going back on what he categorically stated in the previous budget.
As posh bullies always do, hit the weakest they can't fight back.

Only 64,000+, it's not going to make it. That just leaves the ballot box, wait till thursday.

AirlieBird

Pointless petition. Firstly, you are wrong in saying that the issue has to be debated in Parliament if it reaches 100,000 signatures. The issue only has to be considered to be debated if it reaches that number of signatures.

In any event, the issue HAS to be raised in Parliament because the only way it can become law is to be included in the Finance Bill and voted on in Parliament. It was debated in Parliament on the 19th April and a motion put forward by the opposition to remove the clause from the Finance Bill was defeated 298 votes to 231.

ticktack_2

But if all that's happening is for pensioners to receive the same tax allowances as working-age people, is that unfair?

I'm a pensioner but I don't really see the justification for age-related tax allowances.

fluffybunny_2

zygurat789 wrote: »

I think GO worked out that the over 65s probably have the lowest rate of computer literacy and ownership and, therefore, would not be aware of his going back on what he categorically stated in the previous budget.
As posh bullies always do, hit the weakest they can't fight back.

Only 64,000+, it's not going to make it. That just leaves the ballot box, wait till thursday.

from the petition website:-

"
Closing:22/03/2013 09:08"

fluffybunny_2

AirlieBird wrote: »

Pointless petition. Firstly, you are wrong in saying that the issue has to be debated in Parliament if it reaches 100,000 signatures. The issue only has to be considered to be debated if it reaches that number of signatures.

....

I stand corrected

fluffybunny_2

ticktack wrote: »

But if all that's happening is for pensioners to receive the same tax allowances as working-age people, is that unfair?

I'm a pensioner but I don't really see the justification for age-related tax allowances.

I do see why should someone have more purely because of their age .... but... pensions are usually increased "in line with inflation" but, utility bills and insurance costs arent factored in to inflation.

Year in, year out, my parents' disposable income reduces as their bills are going up but their pension increases don't keep up with their outgoings (when I say outgoings, I mean their household bills)

McKneff

ticktack wrote: »

But if all that's happening is for pensioners to receive the same tax allowances as working-age people, is that unfair?

I'm a pensioner but I don't really see the justification for age-related tax allowances.

I'mm with you ticktack and I'm a pensioner too.

The goverment give me and my OH nearly £1k a month, I'm not going to bit the hand that feeds me.:D

jem16

fluffybunny wrote: »

I do see why should someone have more purely because of their age .... but... pensions are usually increased "in line with inflation" but, utility bills and insurance costs arent factored in to inflation.

Year in, year out, my parents' disposable income reduces as their bills are going up but their pension increases don't keep up with their outgoings (when I say outgoings, I mean their household bills)

That's the same for everyone, not just pensioners. I haven't had a wage increase for 2 years, next year likely to be capped at 1%. My pension contributions have gone up as well as everything else bills wise.

ticktack_2

fluffybunny wrote: »

I do see why should someone have more purely because of their age .... but... pensions are usually increased "in line with inflation" but, utility bills and insurance costs arent factored in to inflation.

Year in, year out, my parents' disposable income reduces as their bills are going up but their pension increases don't keep up with their outgoings (when I say outgoings, I mean their household bills)

That's true, but almost everyone (except wealthy people) is finding their living standard is being squeezed.

I've read that age-related allowances were introduced by Winston Churchill in 1925. Things were a lot harder for old people in those days. Did they even have a pension? I don't think they did. More needed then.

p00hsticks

FYI, this topic has also been discussed at length over on the Pensions board

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3872469