The triple lock on pensions means that the state pension this year will increase by £460, that is because the average earnings figures of 4% are almost twice the rate of inflation and the triple lock means the government uses the higher figure.
An important message that gets lost in the media’s obsession with knocking governments - this latest one in particular. The process of claiming pension credit should be simplified- easy to write but possible I’m sure. The government publicity machine needs a ‘reset’ and the BBC needs to take note of its ex employees!
Well said Jonty. As someone who would have benefitted from the WFA for the first time this year, I support means testing and wholeheartedly support what you’ve said. Pensioners have faired better as a group than most others and with poverty higher amongst working people and children, keeping the WFA as a universal benefit makes no sense at all.
From one grateful pensioner who’s happy to point this out!
It's very disappointing that many commentators, some trades unions, and even some Labour MPs, are not seeing this in its wider context. Maybe the arithmetic is beyond them, or are they just determined to be shit stirrers?
The adult minimum wage is £11.44ph and working a 40 hour week that makes £23,795 pa, taking home £20652. The maximum state pension in 2024 is £11502 pa. So as a society do we expect pensioners to live on less half the minimum wage when we already know that people on minimum wage with family responsibilities and housing costs are living a near subsistence life. Well not quite because housing benefit will make a difference for renters. Osborne also thought that pensioners should save to supplement their pension. But those working on minimum wage will have had little chance to do that.
Living as a pensioner without private pension back up is a miserable offer. To imply that poor pensioners should be overflowing with gratitude is ungenerous.
An important message that gets lost in the media’s obsession with knocking governments - this latest one in particular. The process of claiming pension credit should be simplified- easy to write but possible I’m sure. The government publicity machine needs a ‘reset’ and the BBC needs to take note of its ex employees!
Well said Jonty. As someone who would have benefitted from the WFA for the first time this year, I support means testing and wholeheartedly support what you’ve said. Pensioners have faired better as a group than most others and with poverty higher amongst working people and children, keeping the WFA as a universal benefit makes no sense at all.
From one grateful pensioner who’s happy to point this out!
You’d think the £800 (max) increase of Retirement Pension just 5months ago would be mentioned…but no. Even the media seem to have forgotten already.
It's very disappointing that many commentators, some trades unions, and even some Labour MPs, are not seeing this in its wider context. Maybe the arithmetic is beyond them, or are they just determined to be shit stirrers?
A bit of both, I think. Shit stirring definitely encourages the victim fetish that career "saviours" need in order to survive in that role.
As a pensioner who has received the WFA for several years and will no longer I agree with Jonty and the comments above.
The adult minimum wage is £11.44ph and working a 40 hour week that makes £23,795 pa, taking home £20652. The maximum state pension in 2024 is £11502 pa. So as a society do we expect pensioners to live on less half the minimum wage when we already know that people on minimum wage with family responsibilities and housing costs are living a near subsistence life. Well not quite because housing benefit will make a difference for renters. Osborne also thought that pensioners should save to supplement their pension. But those working on minimum wage will have had little chance to do that.
Living as a pensioner without private pension back up is a miserable offer. To imply that poor pensioners should be overflowing with gratitude is ungenerous.