WFA removal

[beak]

Well I’ve found it. But thanks for the internet tutorial. Maybe you could tutor the millions of pensioners with the 243 questions to qualify for pension credit and therefore WFA. Reading this it appears that ‘when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s.’

Here:

‘The Labour Government has responded to claims it was creating “immensely cruel” speculation over the future of free bus travel for pensioners. Currently, anyone over the age of 60 is able to ride buses without charge.

However, uncertainty has been created in recent days over whether the new Government would maintain the scheme in the face of what it is labelling a £22 billion “black hole” in the country’s finances left by the Conservative Party. Just this week, MPs voted down a motion to block Labour’s plans to restrict winter fuel funding to just pensioners who receive Pension Credit or a limited number of other benefits, including Universal Credit.

‘The Conservatives provoked speculation that free bus travel could be next, saying that when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s. Ms Whately branded the apparent uncertainty as “immensely cruel” in a letter to Labour transport secretary Louise Haigh. A spokesman for the Government has now told LeicestershireLive that the ruling party has “no plans to withdraw” the scheme.

‘
The spokesman said: “We know how vital the free bus pass scheme is for preventing loneliness, providing access to vital services and keeping people connected to loved ones, and that’s why we have no plans to withdraw it.”

In her letter to Ms Haigh, Ms Whately said: “Pensioners across the country remain hugely worried about how they will cope with the Government's recent cut to the winter fuel allowance. If scrapping their bus passes is not in your plans, then to allow this speculation to continue is immensely cruel.

‘
"If, however, it is, then I implore you to reconsider. The vast majority of pensioners are not living the life of luxury you appear to think they are. These cuts will heap further pain on top of losing a fuel allowance so many of them rely on.

"It's not just the financial impact of these buspasses. For many older people they represent their last remaining ticket to independence, to amenities and to their communities. Please will you confirm to me and to them as soon as possible that these bus passes won't be scrapped.”

Government ends ‘immensely cruel’ speculation over free bus travel scheme

Conservatives claimed ministers had refused to commit to the scheme

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[beak]

Well I’ve found it. But thanks for the internet tutorial. Maybe you could tutor the millions of pensioners with the 243 questions to qualify for pension credit and therefore WFA. Reading this it appears that ‘when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s.’

Here:

‘The Labour Government has responded to claims it was creating “immensely cruel” speculation over the future of free bus travel for pensioners. Currently, anyone over the age of 60 is able to ride buses without charge.

However, uncertainty has been created in recent days over whether the new Government would maintain the scheme in the face of what it is labelling a £22 billion “black hole” in the country’s finances left by the Conservative Party. Just this week, MPs voted down a motion to block Labour’s plans to restrict winter fuel funding to just pensioners who receive Pension Credit or a limited number of other benefits, including Universal Credit.

‘The Conservatives provoked speculation that free bus travel could be next, saying that when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s. Ms Whately branded the apparent uncertainty as “immensely cruel” in a letter to Labour transport secretary Louise Haigh. A spokesman for the Government has now told LeicestershireLive that the ruling party has “no plans to withdraw” the scheme.

‘
The spokesman said: “We know how vital the free bus pass scheme is for preventing loneliness, providing access to vital services and keeping people connected to loved ones, and that’s why we have no plans to withdraw it.”

In her letter to Ms Haigh, Ms Whately said: “Pensioners across the country remain hugely worried about how they will cope with the Government's recent cut to the winter fuel allowance. If scrapping their bus passes is not in your plans, then to allow this speculation to continue is immensely cruel.

‘
"If, however, it is, then I implore you to reconsider. The vast majority of pensioners are not living the life of luxury you appear to think they are. These cuts will heap further pain on top of losing a fuel allowance so many of them rely on.

"It's not just the financial impact of these buspasses. For many older people they represent their last remaining ticket to independence, to amenities and to their communities. Please will you confirm to me and to them as soon as possible that these bus passes won't be scrapped.”

Government ends ‘immensely cruel’ speculation over free bus travel scheme

Conservatives claimed ministers had refused to commit to the scheme

uk.news.yahoo.com

I used to land up doing by boys homework,i'm used to it,he would come home to tell me that he got an "a" cheeky buzzard.

 

[eagleman13]

Well I’ve found it. But thanks for the internet tutorial. Maybe you could tutor the millions of pensioners with the 243 questions to qualify for pension credit and therefore WFA. Reading this it appears that ‘when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s.’

Here:

‘The Labour Government has responded to claims it was creating “immensely cruel” speculation over the future of free bus travel for pensioners. Currently, anyone over the age of 60 is able to ride buses without charge.

However, uncertainty has been created in recent days over whether the new Government would maintain the scheme in the face of what it is labelling a £22 billion “black hole” in the country’s finances left by the Conservative Party. Just this week, MPs voted down a motion to block Labour’s plans to restrict winter fuel funding to just pensioners who receive Pension Credit or a limited number of other benefits, including Universal Credit.

‘The Conservatives provoked speculation that free bus travel could be next, saying that when ministers were questioned over the issue by shadow transport secretary Helen Whately, they had refused to commit to continuing the scheme for over 60s. Ms Whately branded the apparent uncertainty as “immensely cruel” in a letter to Labour transport secretary Louise Haigh. A spokesman for the Government has now told LeicestershireLive that the ruling party has “no plans to withdraw” the scheme.

‘
The spokesman said: “We know how vital the free bus pass scheme is for preventing loneliness, providing access to vital services and keeping people connected to loved ones, and that’s why we have no plans to withdraw it.”

In her letter to Ms Haigh, Ms Whately said: “Pensioners across the country remain hugely worried about how they will cope with the Government's recent cut to the winter fuel allowance. If scrapping their bus passes is not in your plans, then to allow this speculation to continue is immensely cruel.

‘
"If, however, it is, then I implore you to reconsider. The vast majority of pensioners are not living the life of luxury you appear to think they are. These cuts will heap further pain on top of losing a fuel allowance so many of them rely on.

"It's not just the financial impact of these buspasses. For many older people they represent their last remaining ticket to independence, to amenities and to their communities. Please will you confirm to me and to them as soon as possible that these bus passes won't be scrapped.”

Government ends ‘immensely cruel’ speculation over free bus travel scheme

Conservatives claimed ministers had refused to commit to the scheme

uk.news.yahoo.com

Highlighted part is NOT true in London. Between 60 & 66(as it is now) it is a £20 fee plus £10 per year thereafter. You only get a 'free' bus pass after the age of 66(as it stands).

 

[cryrst]

I am unaware of anyone who relied on the wfa,it went into the holiday pot and provided a trip to more exotic climes.The tories made so many muck ups,voters will not forget ,they will remain in the cold for a generation,however much people moan it will not change their view. Starmer will get his bus pass as Prime minister.😉

Many don’t rely on it but many do or did !
If only 20% need it why stop it. Many gave it to charity so those will suffer as well. Never mind though what’s a few poncing pensioners dying going to matter.
As labour said loud and proud after their independent survey prior to being elected; its only 3850 of them so no dramas.

 

[ASCPFC]

Many don’t rely on it but many do or did !
If only 20% need it why stop it. Many gave it to charity so those will suffer as well. Never mind though what’s a few poncing pensioners dying going to matter.
As labour said loud and proud after their independent survey prior to being elected; its only 3850 of them so no dramas.

Frees up some housing for released prisoners.

 

[Rudi Hedman]

Ultimately it’s always to save the NHS. If the saving the economy reason doesn’t work, this one might. They could’ve just given Africa £1.5 billion less of the £11 billion. That’s after urging the Tory government to lockdown harder, costing hundreds more billions…

Starmer: I had to cut winter fuel allowance to help save NHS

Speaking on trip to US, PM says removing the benefit from 10 million will save the exchequer £1.5 billion

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Rudi Hedman]

Frees up some housing for released prisoners.

Economic migrants off the boats you mean.

 

[PalazioVecchio]

Ultimately it’s always to save the NHS. If the saving the economy reason doesn’t work, this one might. They could’ve just given Africa £1.5 billion less of the £11 billion. That’s after urging the Tory government to lockdown harder, costing hundreds more billions…

Starmer: I had to cut winter fuel allowance to help save NHS

Speaking on trip to US, PM says removing the benefit from 10 million will save the exchequer £1.5 billion

www.telegraph.co.uk

Save money for a better NHS ? Free-up some hospital beds ?

reminds me of the way people save money on 'horse hospital' visits. Applicable to any filly unlucky enough to break a leg at the Grand National. Very economical.

There is no overcrowding at horse-hospitals.

 

[Rudi Hedman]

Save money for a better NHS ?

reminds me of the way people save money on 'horse hospital' visits. Applicable to any filly unlucky enough to break a leg at the Grand National. Very economical.

A horse’s broken leg from landing badly over a big fence sadly cannot be fixed and of course they need to be able to stand and move to live healthily.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

Imagine being a 84 year old Londoner. At the start of your life, you had Hitler making you cold by forcibly ventilating your houses. With his aerial bombardment.

And now , at the end of your life, you got another enemy of Free-speech......expecting you to put on another extra layer of clothing. Reminds me of Stalingrad.

Reading your comments anyone would think you are a socialist!

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

I am unaware of anyone who relied on the wfa,it went into the holiday pot and provided a trip to more exotic climes.The tories made so many muck ups,voters will not forget ,they will remain in the cold for a generation,however much people moan it will not change their view. Starmer will get his bus pass as Prime minister.😉

The fake fuss being made here about this is so typical of the hypocrisy of the right.

It’s obvious that there are better ways to help the truly vulnerable stay safe,,fed and warm than a blanket payment to all pensioners, most of whom don’t need it.

This is something the right would be arguing for, if it wasn’t being done by Labour.

 

[cryrst]

The fake fuss being made here about this is so typical of the hypocrisy of the right.

It’s obvious that there are better ways to help the truly vulnerable stay safe,,fed and warm than a blanket payment to all pensioners, most of whom don’t need it.

This is something the right would be arguing for, if it wasn’t being done by Labour.

So most don’t need it but what of the ones who do who cannot work out how to answer 200 odd questions to get the WFA. A majority of illegal migrants are economical but you want to assume they are all escaping war and persecution.
Slightly hypocritical from you but what’s new.

 

[Rudi Hedman]

The fake fuss being made here about this is so typical of the hypocrisy of the right.

It’s obvious that there are better ways to help the truly vulnerable stay safe,,fed and warm than a blanket payment to all pensioners, most of whom don’t need it.

This is something the right would be arguing for, if it wasn’t being done by Labour.

Yes, you’re right. But the cut off is too low, if you’re honest enough to admit that.

 

[Rudi Hedman]

Here’s another one. ‘’It’s horrendous. But if we didn’t do it we’d have Liz Truss Mk II.’’

https://twitter.com/x/status/1835246490916139345

 

[Rudi Hedman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1845870330918617535