Free loft & wall insulation!

Cardew

[quote=Gordon[/b]IsAMoron;8160881]Approx 1.5million households in UK and Ireland use oil for heating - not because they want to but because they have no other option. Gas is only availible in urban areas.
Why should elderly people get free insulation but someone with three small children cannot? As a pensioner HM The Queen (God bless her!) could get Buck Palace done for free even though she could probably afford it! Yet a young couple struggling to make ends meet and bring up their young kids cannot get the same thing just because they are going out to work.[/quote]

Welcome to the Forum.

I am not sure of the relevance of this discussion to the Utilities forum. However!!!

Your argument is simply how should ‘State handouts’ be distributed.

There is little doubt that in recent years means tested and non-means tested ‘State Benefits’ for children have increased massively(tax credits etc etc) – and IMO correctly. You have the same Gordon(that I assume your name refers to) to thank for that good fortune.

Therefore I am pretty certain that as a “young couple struggling to make ends meet and bring up their young kids” you get a considerably larger slice of the ‘benefit cake’ than those receiving a once in a lifetime free insulation package, worth a couple of hundred pounds, at age 70.

To use your analogy about having no options, well you and I have had the option not to have children. It would be a perfectly valid argument, albeit not one with which I agree, to ask why the State should give you help for your ‘optional’ children. (sadly, for my 4 kids very little help was available!).

People have no option about growing old.

Anyone who is really struggling financially – can get free insulation anyway. Anyone who is not struggling financially, and reaches the age of 70 without having insulation, probably won’t have the sense to take advantage of this offer.

I suspect in the real world this initiative will not cost the taxpayer a huge amount, as there will be relatively few people that qualify.

Terrylw1

Well said Cardew, as ever.

Local authorities are actually having to promote this to people. For a start my folks are part of the "we never claimed for anything and we won't now" crowd. A lot of pensioners are like that but it's only fair they get something back for what they have put in.

On the subject of benefits to families, my folks got hardly anything for raising 3 children before the benefits system changed. So, young families have already claimed more than them.

I think people seem to misunderstand this issue. It's for the fuel poor, not just the elderly and disabled.

There was quite a lengthy thread about this in DT a few months back. I was surprised how many working people thought they should get it. From my point of view, I work and because of that I have options - I can get a loan, work harder, get a higher paid job etc.

The people who need this protection cannot do as I can, so they should get some help. For a start these schemes are there to help the elderly who contribute to pressure on the NHS in winter and such benefits can prolong their life.

It's a good thing.

samtheman1k

Terrylw1 wrote: »

From my point of view, I work and because of that I have options - I can get a loan, work harder, get a higher paid job etc.

Unfortunately, not everyone has that option, or chooses not to take it. There are people who prefer not to work and prefer to rely on handouts unfortunately, and due to the myriad of handouts available, have no real need to work as they know this governement will look after them.

There are also people who can't get higher paid jobs, whether due to to personal circumstances, disability, location, intellectual ability etc., so it's not just a case of 'work harder get a better paid job'.

This scheme, like most others, are not just for the elderly, but for anyone receiving virtually any benefit, regardless of the reasons they are receiving benefits (moral or immoral).

Terrylw1

Very true Sam.

Thats my point of view. I made that point because in the thread people who had the opportunity and did not have the drawbacks you mention but still thought they should be entitled. That would make them no better than those who are staying on benefits and obtaining this.

The issue is the benefits themselves. Thats where the means testing lies that opens up their ability to claim this.

The benefits should be there for those who have not got any options and need real help.

D.K.

Terrylw1 wrote: »

These services are supposed to be for those who cannot go and find work i.e. the elderly or the disabled.

They are not meant for the scroungers but sadly they will benefit in some cases if they are below the fuel poverty line.

These services come out of our taxes. So, the same could be said for disability benefits.

Is that me,working and well above the poverty line but have 2 kids with disabilities. I am entitled yet if you didn't know about my kids then the assumption is "scrounger".
I think everyone should get help to insulate their home to help stop energy waste.
Incidently when they came to see my house, which is large and Edwardian they said "No way ya scrounger!". Seriously, what they did say was that the wall cavity was too big and they couldn't do it.

Terrylw1

D.K. wrote: »

Is that me,working and well above the poverty line but have 2 kids with disabilities. I am entitled yet if you didn't know about my kids then the assumption is "scrounger".
I think everyone should get help to insulate their home to help stop energy waste.
Incidently when they came to see my house, which is large and Edwardian they said "No way ya scrounger!". Seriously, what they did say was that the wall cavity was too big and they couldn't do it.

I use the term "scrounger" for those that sit below the poverty line and claim benefits when they don't need to. So that does not mean you.