Extra Fuel Allowance announced in Budget

Geoffo_M

The additional fuel allowances announced in yesterday's budget seemed good news (about time!), but then when Cameron stood up to reply, he said that it was only for ONE year. Last night's news and papers don't seem to mention this all-important aspect. It's hardly worth doing if it's only for one year, and typical of this government to try and slide it in as good news and then later find out it's only for the one year. Anyone know?

margaretclare

Yes, it was announced as being for one year only.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7291777.stm

Margaret

davetrousers

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, it was announced as being for one year only.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7291777.stm

Margaret

I can't see any words to that effect??? I saw the line that said " The winter fuel payment to the over-60s will increase from £200 to £250 in 2008-9." I took this to mean that next winter (2008-09) there will be an increase, I don't read it as 1 year only.

milla

Budget 2008: Coverage in full
The Chancellor waited until the end of his 50-minute Budget statement to pull the upgrade in the winter fuel benefit out of the hat, announcing the allowance would rise to £250 from £200 for the over-60s, and from £300 to £400 for those above the age of 80.
In pictures: Budget 2008 case studies


Saying nine million pensioners would benefit as a result of the measure, partly paid for from rising alcohol duties, Mr Darling told MPs: "One of the key features of this Budget is fairness. For this year I have decided to help pensioners who are facing pressures such as higher energy bills."

Edinburghlass_2

I have seen it reported as being a "one-off increase" which I read to mean there won't be an annual increase in WFA. I really don't see them giving in for one year only and then reducing it the following year.

margaretclare

See: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pensioners-winter-fuel-allowance-raised-by-16350-to-163250-794962.html

and

http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/Campaigns/News/en_darlingsfirstbudget_120308.htm

Margaret

davetrousers

OK I have found it. You were right it is a 1 off payment this year. This paragraph copied from the HM Treasury site budget report.

introduced Winter Fuel Payments and committed to pay them at their current
rates (£200 for households with someone over 60, £300 if over 80) for the
lifetime of this Parliament. Alongside the Winter Fuel Payments, Budget 2008
announces an additional one-off payment of £100 to over-80s households
and £50 to over-60s households in 2008-09;

roy62

Next year will be a pre-election budget so i would expect even better news.

royeee

For men turning 60 this year, when do they need to apply for 2008/9 WFA?

royeee

royeee wrote: »

For men turning 60 this year, when do they need to apply for 2008/9 WFA?

Any pointer?

EdInvestor

Usually in September.