Winter fuel allowance.

brewerdave

Cardew wrote: »

I wish the £200/£300 WFA could be better targeted to pay for heating, but have no sensible suggestions how that aim could be achieved. Some years ago Powergen had an 'all inclusive' Staywarm tariff i.e. you paid a fixed sum for a year regardless of consumption; perhaps something along those lines??

..abolish the WFA ......then revisit the thresholds for the cold weather payments ??? At a stroke that would do away with the argument about pensioners based outside UK plus wealthier pensioners ??

2010

Abolish all benefits for pensioners and pay a decent state pension that they can live on in comfort,

Ken68

Linking the Energy Performance Certificate to the WFA would be one way. No certificate...no money.

brewerdave

Ken68 wrote: »

Linking the Energy Performance Certificate to the WFA would be one way. No certificate...no money.

...bit confused about that -surely the pensioners who have very well insulated homes getting the best ratings, are the least in need? Or are you saying all homes should get an EPC ...then only pay pensioners who don't meet the higher standards ???

Ken68

At least, make sure the house has been looked over and measures (usually free ) taken to conserve heat.

brewerdave

2010 wrote: »

Abolish all benefits for pensioners and pay a decent state pension that they can live on in comfort,

Remember reading a couple of years ago, that all pensioner benefits (free eye tests,bus passes,TV licenses,Winter fuel payments various)"cost" £5 billion - so allowing for ~12 million State pensioners that would equate to an extra £400 pa -hardly enuf for a comfortable living :( I suppose that it could be increased by more than that, because of the tax recovered from both basic and higher rate tax payers.

Cardew

Ken68 wrote: »

Linking the Energy Performance Certificate to the WFA would be one way. No certificate...no money.

So pensioners who live in low quality rented accommodation would get??


As the Government have said many times, it is cheaper to pay these fairly small sums as 'Universal benefits' than set up a system based on perceived needs.


In any case, as alluded to earlier, why should WFA be means tested?

Froglet

brewerdave wrote: »

...don't know about anyone else, but in previous years the money has been in the bank several days/weeks before I get a letter:) -looking back over last 5 years, I've received it between 19th and 26th November.

Us too,seems a waste of paper and postage to get the money first,then the letter.


I can understand the need when it gets paid the first time but really,what is the point year after year? Different if it was something that involved taking a payment OUT of the bank.But once it is set up surely people are just happy to find a little extra in their bank or pension,and they know what it is for,before the winter weather kicks in.Whatever they use it for.

missbiggles1

2010 wrote: »

Abolish all benefits for pensioners and pay a decent state pension that they can live on in comfort,

And what level would you set that and what contributions would somebody need to have made to get it?

Ken68

You can get an EPC whatever standard of accommodation, and it is upgraded online with every new measure. I am saying no basic certificate...no money.