MSE News: Winter fuel payments cut for those in hot countries

seven-day-weekend

Dunroamin wrote: »

When they come to comparing temperatures, they may well have a shock.

We used to spend a month or two in Spain in the winter and night time temperatures were often far lower than they were at home on the Isle of Wight.

Same here. I never had an electric blanket until I lived in Spain and don't have one now I've returned to sunny West Midlands.

(I also didn't get the WFA in Spain either).

seven-day-weekend

woodbine wrote: »

the first sensible thing this shambolic govt has done,then they spoil it by delaying it for 2 years
as for proper means testing of pensioner benefits thats easy and not that costly,just limit them (i.e. bus passes wfa etc)to those already getting HB or CTC

So only those who already are a drain on the economy get a bus pass? I think only those of us who DON'T claim extra benefits should have one.

mumps

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

So only those who already are a drain on the economy get a bus pass? I think only those of us who DON'T claim extra benefits should have one.

The free bus passes are a huge drain in some areas, I live on the south coast and it costs load down here to subsidise retired people who come down for holidays. It isn't top of my list for expenditure in an area with its fair share of problems.

seven-day-weekend

mumps wrote: »

The free bus passes are a huge drain in some areas, I live on the south coast and it costs load down here to subsidise retired people who come down for holidays. It isn't top of my list for expenditure in an area with its fair share of problems.

My comment was slightly tongue-in-cheek, although I don't see why only those on means-tested Benefits should have them. Everyone or no-one, imho.

(Better keep their hands off mine though!:rotfl:)

Wywth

Dunroamin wrote: »

I lived on the Isle of Wight for years and it never reached -15C there either , nor were there many days when the temperature didn't rise above freezing. As Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe, lots of people live at quite a high altitude.

Its based on average temperatures in the country/region, not the particular temperature at perhaps 10,000 ft

Wywth

pioneer22 wrote: »

Cant believe Daily Mail readers are kicking up such a fuss about this. Why on earth should anyone living outside of the UK claim any sort of benefit.

I am led to believe the Daily Mail is a well read newspaper in certain parts of Spain (about 4-5 days late)

demystified

My father has a place near Malaga, Spain. Last time I was there in february they were complaining like mad about the cold, he actually had to light the fire! That was the first time that winter. They don't have central heating. Apparently they'd actually had frosts, which was unheard of! Apparently the Avocado tree plantations locally were devastated! Shocking!

I just sat outside on the veranda and enjoyed the sun, don't think I even put a sweater on. Sun was so strong it was warm out of the wind. Also I couldn't believe how bright it was, it was like a september day back in blightly. Once I got back home the perpetual gloom, darkness and cold felt like I'd descended into hades.

seven-day-weekend

Where I lived in Spain it was 1000m high in the mountains of Granada, therefore cold in the winter, especially at night, and we needed heating from at least October -March. It was often sunny and blue skies in the daytime, but still cold - bare in mind that on the other side of the mountains you have the most southerly Ski slope in Europe (Sol Y Nieve).

borkid

Andy_WSM wrote: »

The sooner we stop pandering to the EU the better.

They should have taken the opportunity to fix the winter fuel payment while they're at it. Many pensioners admit they spend it on fags & booze or bingo or Christmas presents for the Grandchildren. The money should not be going to the pensioners, it should be going to their utility suppliers.

Load of old rubbish the system of different taxes and benefits right now.

So all the pensioners with oil CH should have to wait then spend the payment in Nov/Dec when oil is most expensive? I've just topped up my oil tank because the price of heating oil has dropped for summer. If I waited until December it would be at least 10p a litre more expensive. I will not be spending my fuel alowance on heating in the winter because I have been prudent enough to budget and buy fuel when its cheapest.

redux

I recently stayed in a tent in the south of France for 3 weeks.

Daytime temperatures exceeded 30 degrees, but the first night, at a different place at about 2500 feet, it was 5 degrees at 4 am when I got up to get more bedding out of the car.

That's the first week of June. What is January like?