Cameron protects OAP benefits till 2015

margaretclare

georgiesmum wrote: »

I assume then you use a car all the time or are in walking distance of all the shops. Or are so well off that paying exorbitant fares don't bother you. Some of us do not have cars, we got rid of ours when my husband turned 80 as we did not think it wise to continue using it, and i have never driven.
I don't think anybody has said anything about pensioners vs young families. Having raised 5 myself I am very pleased that they do get as much help as they can. I wouldn't begrudge then anything at all.

I thought that was what you were implying in your post on the 12th at 3.02 pm.

Yes, we use our car and at present, while DH is still recovering from spinal surgery, we do online shopping for almost everything. We haven't yet turned 80 and we still feel competent to drive. If/when the day arrives that we don't feel competent or able to drive then we'll look at it again. Walking to the shops would be difficult. DH can only walk a short distance and wouldn't feel happy or comfortable if he had to travel by bus, standing around waiting etc. We tried it once going to the hospital and we ended up getting a taxi back. Me being able to drive has been a godsend during all the times that he's been in hospital, the most recent only 5 weeks ago. From 1971 I had a job which required driving so, up to 2002 at least, I haven't had a choice of not to drive.

georgiesmum

margaretclare wrote: »

I thought that was what you were implying in your post on the 12th at 3.02 pm.

Yes, we use our car and at present, while DH is still recovering from spinal surgery, we do online shopping for almost everything. We haven't yet turned 80 and we still feel competent to drive. If/when the day arrives that we don't feel competent or able to drive then we'll look at it again. Walking to the shops would be difficult. DH can only walk a short distance and wouldn't feel happy or comfortable if he had to travel by bus, standing around waiting etc. We tried it once going to the hospital and we ended up getting a taxi back. Me being able to drive has been a godsend during all the times that he's been in hospital, the most recent only 5 weeks ago. From 1971 I had a job which required driving so, up to 2002 at least, I haven't had a choice of not to drive.

Just wanted to make the point really that my bus pass is a godsend. Don't know what i would do without it as i have to get 3 buses to my daughters, and i am in a quiet area but thank god with a reliable bus service. I go sick when people talk of only giving it to those on benefits, (not to mention quite angry )as we have a very small works pension as well as state, so don't qualify for any benefits. WE miss out by £5.20. :mad:
It is a pain waiting for buses, but we are both in fairly good health, so not a problem. Made dh give up the car when he had 5 accidents in 2 years. Couldn't afford the insurance premiums.
Ps, I'm not 80, got a few years to go, not many though lol

margaretclare

If you use the bus and can walk to it etc then not a problem. I have no objection to that. Having repeated accidents within a short time would also cause us to think about driving/not driving, but so far that hasn't happened. Using the bus would be more of a problem to us. I go to a local gym which has a pool, to help me to stay as fit and healthy as possible, and I drive to it - it would be impossible to get to otherwise. Same with the free swimming, although that was never offered in our area, it would have been impossible to get to without driving. I can do things in the water which would be impossible on land - I just could not be on my feet as long as I am in the water.

Our Tesco grocery order has just arrived, and our local milkman has an impressive array of groceries as well as the doorstep milk, so we are unlikely to starve even if we couldn't get to the shops.

chesky369

......If you use the bus and can walk to it etc then not a problem. I have no objection to that......

That's awfully good of you.

Farway

From today's announcements it would seem, although not said and studiously avoided by non committal politician type replies to questions, that should Tories win outright next time then means testing will come in for buss passes, winter fuel etc

TBH if they are going to cut or remove under 25 allowances then I think it is only fair the over 65s are subject to same arrangements

I may be in a minority, but I would fail any means test due to income & assets.

seven-day-weekend

Farway wrote: »

From today's announcements it would seem, although not said and studiously avoided by non committal politician type replies to questions, that should Tories win outright next time then means testing will come in for buss passes, winter fuel etc

TBH if they are going to cut or remove under 25 allowances then I think it is only fair the over 65s are subject to same arrangements

I may be in a minority, but I would fail any means test due to income & assets.

We don't get any means-tested State benefits so we too would fail the means test. I will really miss my bus pass if they withdraw it. It will cost me £3.80 to go into the city centre and back on the bus, or £2 parking (for two hours) plus the fuel if I take the car. I usually go 3-5 times a week.

I can walk it in twenty minutes, but the weather is not always good enough.

If it is going to happen I would rather it went to those without cars rather than have it means-tested. Don't think that is right at all.

Catapa

The over 50s are the people who vote. I just feel sorry for the current students, who largely don't bother to vote and who have not yet worked out how our democracy works...

krisskross

Whilst there is no new mobility assistance like DLA after 65 then I think it would be a mistake to stop bus passes yet still allow some pensioners to keep motability cars.

I also would really miss my bus pass but would not be eligible if it were means tested. I will happily give up the WFA if need be.

seven-day-weekend

krisskross wrote: »

Whilst there is no new mobility assistance like DLA after 65 then I think it would be a mistake to stop bus passes yet still allow some pensioners to keep motability cars.

I also would really miss my bus pass but would not be eligible if it were means tested. I will happily give up the WFA if need be.

I too would rather give up the WFA than my bus pass.

Roger1

Well, for those who are willing to give up the winter fuel allowance, the answer's simple - write a cheque for the £200 and give it to charity.

Same for the bus pass, if you don't want one, don't apply for one.

Just leave mine alone!