Chancellor Rishi Sunak hints at ruling out 8% pension rise

michaels

molerat said:

Thrugelmir said:

molerat said:

Albermarle said:

I think the end result is that the Triple lock will be left in place , so they can say they stick with their election promises .
However the rise in earnings will be recalculated in some way just for this years calculation ,to take account of the special circumstances . 
So the projected 8% will become say 5% , and they can still then say it is way above what the non pensioner population has seen and we are all in it together . Plus save a Billion or two .

 my 20 yo granddaughter is getting £9 when they only have to pay her £6.56.  

Companies are free to set whatever wage levels they wish. Minimum wage is only there as default. Treating employees fairly has considerable benefits to a business isn't just a cost. 

And that has always been the case but now even those that don't want to "treat employees fairly" and previously had no problems hiring are having to pay higher wages to attract staff.

Exactly what the Brexiteers had been saying - allowing unlimited labour migration was great news for those who needed the services of a plumber, hair dresser or barista but really triply news for those doing those jobs.

Triply because wages were held down, there was no incentive therefore for employers to invest in training and productivity increases and the price of basic accommodation was bid up (the nimbys who were benefiting from low prices for their cappuccinos were also up in arms about and new home building to meet the increasing population)

steampowered

daveyjp said:

The world of the 60s, 70s when current pensioners were starting out in life, was very much different to today, even more so for women.

Sorry, why couldn't people who started work in the 60s and 70s save for their retirements during the course of their working lives?

If you haven't put aside anything from your retirement, why should it be the government's job to top that up through the benefit system (and the state pension is a benefit). It shouldn't. No more than it should be the government's job to give you a lavish lifestyle if you are on working age benefits. 

JJC1956

steampowered said:

daveyjp said:

The world of the 60s, 70s when current pensioners were starting out in life, was very much different to today, even more so for women.

Sorry, why couldn't people who started work in the 60s and 70s save for their retirements during the course of their working lives?

If you haven't put aside anything from your retirement, why should it be the government's job to top that up through the benefit system (and the state pension is a benefit). It shouldn't. No more than it should be the government's job to give you a lavish lifestyle if you are on working age benefits. 

steampowered said:

daveyjp said:

The world of the 60s, 70s when current pensioners were starting out in life, was very much different to today, even more so for women.

Sorry, why couldn't people who started work in the 60s and 70s save for their retirements during the course of their working lives?

If you haven't put aside anything from your retirement, why should it be the government's job to top that up through the benefit system (and the state pension is a benefit). It shouldn't. No more than it should be the government's job to give you a lavish lifestyle if you are on working age benefits. 

I started work in the 70’s, I spent all my hard earned money on Exotic Holidays, Gambling, Wild Women and Drink, the rest I wasted

Albermarle

The whole point of British democracy is that the government is supposed to implement its manifesto. 

In theory yes but in practice many manifesto pledges are jettisoned by all governments as they are too costly/unrealistic in the cold post election light .
Might not be good but it is the reality.

LHW99

Albermarle said:

The whole point of British democracy is that the government is supposed to implement its manifesto. 

In theory yes but in practice many manifesto pledges are jettisoned by all governments as they are too costly/unrealistic in the cold post election light .
Might not be good but it is the reality.

And have been breaking manifesto promises since at least the time of Harold Wilson IMO

mark55man

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Winter Fuel Payment

Christmas Bonus
Bus pass
Eye test
Prescriptions

Yes, but apart from all that (and no NI) what has the pension ever provided that those in other countries have to pay for

SomeMadeUpName

mark55man said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Winter Fuel Payment

Christmas Bonus
Bus pass
Eye test
Prescriptions

Yes, but apart from all that (and no NI) what has the pension ever provided that those in other countries have to pay for

What have the Romans ever done for us?

ggmf

sevenhills said:

If this is a political decision, give the pensioners the same increase as the NHS, 1%

The NHS has not been given a 1%, it was suggested but not agreed. Before being caught in a clinch, Hancock was suggesting that there may be no pay rise award for this year and that it would be rolled into any rise next year. (ps - rolled into is political speak for forgotten about)

molerat

The big bone of contention over the triple lock was the artificial 2.5% backstop which guaranteed a rise even if inflation and wages were way below that figure but has only been applied 4 times since inception. Now real wages are on the increase some don't want even a modified real increase applied. Even at 8% the maximum increase by that factor is £14.37 per week and don't forget that in many cases the government will be getting 20% or even 40% of that back and aren't those that don't pay any of it back deserving of the increase ?

Eldi_Dos

sevenhills said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Winger Fuel Payment

Christmas Bonus
Bus pass
Eye test
Prescriptions

If you live in Scotland, then you get free prescriptions and eye tests at any age, free bus pass at 60

I live in Scotland and benefit from these policies.My local council issue our bus passes and part of the deal is we pay them £170+ on the first of the month to the council. Kind of rankles when its referred to as free.