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

margaretclare

Andy_L wrote: »

a very high proportion of some pensioners basket.

Like the rest of society pensioners run the range from very poor to very rich

....and some of us in the middle.

I would be very interested to discover just what this 'basket of goods' includes.

Andy_L

margaretclare wrote: »

....and some of us in the middle.

I would be very interested to discover just what this 'basket of goods' includes.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/cpi-rpi-basket/2012/index.html

zygurat789

Andy_L wrote: »

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/cpi-rpi-basket/2012/index.html

As you might expect, loads of things that are not in a pensioners basket and which are not rocketing in price.
I could not find, mind you it was rather long and boring, a worked example to show how an increase in an item would affect the index.
It would be simple to use some of these items and change weightings to produce a pensioners index but they wouldn't dare.
Hey ho down to the polling station, guess who I won't be voting for.

Andy_L

zygurat789 wrote: »

It would be simple to use some of these items and change weightings to produce a pensioners index but they wouldn't dare..

Not really, how would you decide what goods/services should or should not be included in a "pensioners index" considering the vast variety in pensioners wealth?

You could produce a "subsistance index" (eg just food, utilities, clothing, accomodation) but that wouldn't apply to pensioners who, eg, have paid of the mortgage and thus have minimal accomodation costs

AirlieBird

ONS do produce RPI excluding housing costs statistics for pensioners who receive 3/4s of their income from state benefits. In 2011 Q4 the annual percentage increase in the index for a single pensioner household was 7.3% and for a two pensioner household 6.9%.

margaretclare

Not really, how would you decide what goods/services should or should not be included in a "pensioners index" considering the vast variety in pensioners wealth?

...and also, the difference in lifestyle. There is not, as far as I'm aware, anything laid down as to how pensioners 'should' conduct their lives. I know many people who shop, and live, differently from myself and DH.

Randvegeta

Why exactly should pensioners get some special treatment where they have more benefits and more allowances than the rest of us?

I'm sorry, but don't most pensioners already own a home? Do they have rent or mortgages to pay? I guess most don't.

And that 'increase of 30GBP /month' in utilities, umm.. do they have heating set to 30 degrees year round while the water runs continuously? I live in a flat paying less than 50GBP /month for my utilities (that's gas, electricity AND water).

The problem isn't rising cost and diminishing benefits, it's a simple matter of waist!

And let us not forget, the more money pensioners get, the more the youth have to pay in tax to make up for it!

Yes times are hard, and I don't want to make out like I am against the elderly. My grandparents are pensioners, I certainly sympathise with THEM, but why should regular, young people suffer?

To put simply, cost of living is going up and wages aren't keeping up. The young have rent/mortgages to pay, and they too have utilities. To say 'PENSIONERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER' is to say 'THE YOUTH MUST SUFFER MORE!!!'.

margaretclare

Randvegeta wrote: »

Why exactly should pensioners get some special treatment where they have more benefits and more allowances than the rest of us?

I'm sorry, but don't most pensioners already own a home? Do they have rent or mortgages to pay? I guess most don't.

And that 'increase of 30GBP /month' in utilities, umm.. do they have heating set to 30 degrees year round while the water runs continuously? I live in a flat paying less than 50GBP /month for my utilities (that's gas, electricity AND water).

The problem isn't rising cost and diminishing benefits, it's a simple matter of waist!

And let us not forget, the more money pensioners get, the more the youth have to pay in tax to make up for it!

Yes times are hard, and I don't want to make out like I am against the elderly. My grandparents are pensioners, I certainly sympathise with THEM, but why should regular, young people suffer?

To put simply, cost of living is going up and wages aren't keeping up. The young have rent/mortgages to pay, and they too have utilities. To say 'PENSIONERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER' is to say 'THE YOUTH MUST SUFFER MORE!!!'.

This is why I have never bought the argument that 'interest rates should rise because of pensioners living on interest on their savings. Higher interest rates would be very bad news for anyone who's taken on a mortgage in recent years. I know - been there in 1990.

I would also much prefer to see lower-paid workers paying less tax i.e. the tax band starting at £10K. This would be much better for young folk at the start of their careers.

You mean 'waste' not 'waist'.

Be careful of the use of the word 'most'. I know of some pensioners who never bought their own home, are still living in council properties, but if they're on pension credit they get housing benefit and council tax benefit. For us, council tax is one of the biggest monthly outgoings: £113. Our gas and elec comes to £66 a month. We're not complaining of that. Water is separate, and sewerage.

sandraroffey

just because some pensioners are in rented property and receive pension credit, doesnt mean they get their rent paid.

i live in a flat that has 2 bedrooms but because i am on my own, i have to make up the shortfall out of my pension credit.

yes i am in private rented accomodation, but that is because i wouldnt keep a dog on the council estates round here. i WAS on the council a few years back, and when they came and inspected where i live, i was told that because my accomodation was 'very nice' it was likely that they wouldnt ever be able to help me. find somewhere cheaper???? there isnt anywhere cheaper!! i have been looking for a very long time. so i have to make up my shortfall to the tune of around £200 a month and STILL have to find gas, electric, water. i dont pay council tax, but i do have to eat. i am continually chasing my tail.

POPPYOSCAR

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