Too complicated and expensive to administer. In a scenario where one of a married couple is a higher rate tax payer and the other is a lower rate taxpayer or a non taxpayer, one would get payment the other wouldn't. This is a ridiculous outcome.
Let everyone over 60 (the age starts to increase next year as women's pension age goes up) receive the payment and adjust tax allowances for higher rate taxpayers to recoup the money paid out as winter fuel allowance.
Everyone should be entitled to the payment - I know too many peoplw who are on a low income/pension who do not qualify for benefits, therefore let them be entitled to something.
To try and please everyone, why not increase the tax threshold for lower rate income tax payers by £250, and be obliged to include the annual heating payment received in your tax return. Therefore, anyone in the higher rate tax bracket will be liable to be taxed on the amount of heating allowance given annually. Only those in the higher rate tax bracket would be liable to pay, not the wives, spouses, partners etc., who do not reach the tax limit. Anyone in receipt of income over £40,000 per annum, and paying the higher rate of tax, does not really need the heating allowance, and can well afford to pay the tax.
The administration of taxing winter fuel payments would be too complex and expensive bearing in mind the government's record in computer related disasters.
Winter fuel payments should be available for those over 65 on the Basic rate of Tax,and those who pay no tax at all. Those on the higher rate of tax should be able to afford to heat their homes without the winter fuel allowance. I as a pensioner on the state pension find it increasingly difficult to meet the fuel bills now which will certainly rise again soon.
RD.
THE GOVERMENT WANT TO LOOK AT THERE OWN FIRST AND PAY BACK ALL THE MONEY THEY HAVE TAKEN OUT, THEY DO NOT PAY FOR THERE GAS OR ELECTRIC WE DO THE TAX PAYER AS THEY CLAIM IT BACK IN THERE EXPENCES. I WOULD LOVE TO EARN THERE MONEY PLUS THE EXPENCES AND PAY NO TAX WHAT A JOB.
Why should you be penalised because you have worked hard all your life to get a pension and saved for when you are retired. Don't forget the pension paid by the government is already taxed. All the freebies usually goes to those who never contribute any tax etc to the British economy. The fuel allowance should continue to be paid to all pensioners. It is a shame this committee did not declare that mps should pay tax on their expenses, the government would save more that way!!
i totally agree. my dad worked all his life, paid into a small pension, and is now penalised as he is a couple of pounds over the limit to get any pension credits etc. my parents now struggle to survive from day to day often having to borrow money from me and my brothers to pay their bills.
Why pick on pensioners because they have worked hard all their live to receive a pension. They never receive any benefits until they retire and then their pension is taxed. Those meanies who want pensioners taxed on winter fuel probably haven't paid anything in tax themselves but claimed all the benefits.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
If we have to cut back lets start at the other end;
EMAs - paying kids to go to school - who ever thought of that? Many stay for the money and disrupt the few, let them find work and pay tax.
Legal Aid - paid for by tax payers - the only ones who don't qualify to use it. It's milked by the repeat offenders and the likes of the Maxwells and Polly Peck millionaires.
Prisons - why do we keep the worst offenders for so long, only to be let out and repeat offend. So many today are caught, on camera or with DNA. If there is no doubt and the offence is serious enough - end it !
These are the things we can't afford!
If one has been frugal enough to pay 40% tax, why should another who chose to spend, now be at an advantage? Most of those who should pay 40% will have had the sense to make tax avoidance plans anyway. Once again it will be the few in the middle who get clobbered.
Perhaps the question should be should MPs and MEPs have tax free allowances after all they are generally higher rate tax payers with golden pension scheme now denied to other by Gordon (lets rip everyone one off) Brown. Shouln't this lot be sorting out their own behaviour and start getting this country back on its feet rather than fiddling at the edges?
There are other ways to save the government money when paying the winter fuel allowance. Unless told otherwise, they assume that all pensioners are in the UK for the winter. I know several cases where this is not true. I have personal knowledge of people who spend the entire winter (November to March) in the southern hemisphere and others who spend the coldest months in Cyprus. They are not sufferrng from the cold, yet they still accept their winter fuel payments.
There are other people who live overseas for most of the year and just keep an 'accommodation address' in the UK so that they do not lose their pension uprating or their health service benefits. These people are abusing the rules, yet there is never any checks to stop the abuse.
I don't see going somewhere warm as abuse of the system.., just thinking outside the box. Why sit at home spending the allowance on heating fuel, looking at the rain (or snow) when you can spend it on fuel to take you to the sun???
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other mans tested items.?
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other mans tested items.?
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other means tested items.?
Fuel Payments should also be stopped for pensioners who opt to live in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, etc. Its nearly as good a scam as MP's expenses claims. The fault lies with civil service inefficiency, not checking that recipients live in UK, or perhaps the Government for drafting the rules ambiguously!
Instead of introducing yet more means tested benefits, the Gov't should offer people the option of forgoing some or all of the payment by donating (via Gift Aid naturally) to a suitable charity which would help the low paid - that way, those who felt deserving would keep it, and those that didn't would benefit others who did.
Why penalise people who have paid their dues over the years and are getting a return on their payments. Maybe we should be looking at the people who have paid nothing into the system but are receiving the same benefit.
All benefits available should be paid to all pensioners. There should be discrination of those that have saved to prepared for retirement. If you have an income over the minimum allowance you are still taxed.
In a similar vein to fairmaids comment, those in the north of scotland should receive higher payments than those in the south of England. The temperature drops drastically the further north you go and although it rarely drops below the extra payment level, except in extreme conditions, normally scotland experiences longer, colder spells than the south. Fuel costs more in the north also, so higher heating bills all round.
My husband was made redundant last year and we are entitled to nothing because we have savings. We don't have a new car every year. Cars in this house are expected to last about 10 years at least. I don't upgrade my furniture, curtains, carpets etc just because the colours don't match. In 30 years of marriage I have had my kitchen replaced once, consequently I have only ever had one new cooker. The others have either been second hand or already in the property. Because instead of spending we have saved we are penalised for being careful.
I have no problem with pensioners getting winter fuel payments, some deserve that and more. The ones I object to are the ones who spend spend spend and then expect the state to look after them. There choice yes, but why should I pay for there lifestyle.
I agree entirely that these payments should not go to higher rate tax payers provided that the administrative costs are well below the money saved and then the 'profit' should go to improve the basic pension
r.
Would the cost of administration of working out who is not entitled outweigh the money saved by not paying higher rate tax payers?
Too complicated and expensive to administer. In a scenario where one of a married couple is a higher rate tax payer and the other is a lower rate taxpayer or a non taxpayer, one would get payment the other wouldn't. This is a ridiculous outcome.
Let everyone over 60 (the age starts to increase next year as women's pension age goes up) receive the payment and adjust tax allowances for higher rate taxpayers to recoup the money paid out as winter fuel allowance.
I thought only bankers get payments, the rest of just pay for their mistakes.
Everyone should be entitled to the payment - I know too many peoplw who are on a low income/pension who do not qualify for benefits, therefore let them be entitled to something.
To try and please everyone, why not increase the tax threshold for lower rate income tax payers by £250, and be obliged to include the annual heating payment received in your tax return. Therefore, anyone in the higher rate tax bracket will be liable to be taxed on the amount of heating allowance given annually. Only those in the higher rate tax bracket would be liable to pay, not the wives, spouses, partners etc., who do not reach the tax limit. Anyone in receipt of income over £40,000 per annum, and paying the higher rate of tax, does not really need the heating allowance, and can well afford to pay the tax.
The administration of taxing winter fuel payments would be too complex and expensive bearing in mind the government's record in computer related disasters.
yes, if you are paying higher rate tax you do not need the help.
Winter fuel payments should be available for those over 65 on the Basic rate of Tax,and those who pay no tax at all. Those on the higher rate of tax should be able to afford to heat their homes without the winter fuel allowance. I as a pensioner on the state pension find it increasingly difficult to meet the fuel bills now which will certainly rise again soon.
RD.
THE GOVERMENT WANT TO LOOK AT THERE OWN FIRST AND PAY BACK ALL THE MONEY THEY HAVE TAKEN OUT, THEY DO NOT PAY FOR THERE GAS OR ELECTRIC WE DO THE TAX PAYER AS THEY CLAIM IT BACK IN THERE EXPENCES. I WOULD LOVE TO EARN THERE MONEY PLUS THE EXPENCES AND PAY NO TAX WHAT A JOB.
Why should you be penalised because you have worked hard all your life to get a pension and saved for when you are retired. Don't forget the pension paid by the government is already taxed. All the freebies usually goes to those who never contribute any tax etc to the British economy. The fuel allowance should continue to be paid to all pensioners. It is a shame this committee did not declare that mps should pay tax on their expenses, the government would save more that way!!
i totally agree. my dad worked all his life, paid into a small pension, and is now penalised as he is a couple of pounds over the limit to get any pension credits etc. my parents now struggle to survive from day to day often having to borrow money from me and my brothers to pay their bills.
Why pick on pensioners because they have worked hard all their live to receive a pension. They never receive any benefits until they retire and then their pension is taxed. Those meanies who want pensioners taxed on winter fuel probably haven't paid anything in tax themselves but claimed all the benefits.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
If the government is going to change the category of pensioners who receive winter fuel payment, I suggest that they look at pensioners who live abroad and still receive this payment. Why should people who live in a much warmer climate and don't require much heating in the winter time receive this payment? The payment should be given to residents of the UK only.
I believe that the fuel allowance should be stopped for those of 60 and over and who are still working.
Anybody who is retired, whether they pay the higher rate of income tax or not, should continue to receive the fuel allowance.
If we have to cut back lets start at the other end;
EMAs - paying kids to go to school - who ever thought of that? Many stay for the money and disrupt the few, let them find work and pay tax.
Legal Aid - paid for by tax payers - the only ones who don't qualify to use it. It's milked by the repeat offenders and the likes of the Maxwells and Polly Peck millionaires.
Prisons - why do we keep the worst offenders for so long, only to be let out and repeat offend. So many today are caught, on camera or with DNA. If there is no doubt and the offence is serious enough - end it !
These are the things we can't afford!
If one has been frugal enough to pay 40% tax, why should another who chose to spend, now be at an advantage? Most of those who should pay 40% will have had the sense to make tax avoidance plans anyway. Once again it will be the few in the middle who get clobbered.
YES
Perhaps the question should be should MPs and MEPs have tax free allowances after all they are generally higher rate tax payers with golden pension scheme now denied to other by Gordon (lets rip everyone one off) Brown. Shouln't this lot be sorting out their own behaviour and start getting this country back on its feet rather than fiddling at the edges?
Absolutely and 100% spot on correct
There are other ways to save the government money when paying the winter fuel allowance. Unless told otherwise, they assume that all pensioners are in the UK for the winter. I know several cases where this is not true. I have personal knowledge of people who spend the entire winter (November to March) in the southern hemisphere and others who spend the coldest months in Cyprus. They are not sufferrng from the cold, yet they still accept their winter fuel payments.
There are other people who live overseas for most of the year and just keep an 'accommodation address' in the UK so that they do not lose their pension uprating or their health service benefits. These people are abusing the rules, yet there is never any checks to stop the abuse.
I don't see going somewhere warm as abuse of the system.., just thinking outside the box. Why sit at home spending the allowance on heating fuel, looking at the rain (or snow) when you can spend it on fuel to take you to the sun???
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other mans tested items.?
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other mans tested items.?
With very poor pensioners on the basic pension who get the pension top-up credit, and have small savings, is it possible that the over 60's and especially the over 80's could get into benefit problems? such as housing benefit and other means tested items.?
Another way to rob the poor and create more jobs for the(club) what !
Fuel Payments should also be stopped for pensioners who opt to live in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, etc. Its nearly as good a scam as MP's expenses claims. The fault lies with civil service inefficiency, not checking that recipients live in UK, or perhaps the Government for drafting the rules ambiguously!
Instead of introducing yet more means tested benefits, the Gov't should offer people the option of forgoing some or all of the payment by donating (via Gift Aid naturally) to a suitable charity which would help the low paid - that way, those who felt deserving would keep it, and those that didn't would benefit others who did.
Why penalise people who have paid their dues over the years and are getting a return on their payments. Maybe we should be looking at the people who have paid nothing into the system but are receiving the same benefit.
All benefits available should be paid to all pensioners. There should be discrination of those that have saved to prepared for retirement. If you have an income over the minimum allowance you are still taxed.
Winter fuel payment should be available for the retired they paid tax all their working life & HIGH RATES ALSO ARE HIGH TO FOR THE RETIRED
In a similar vein to fairmaids comment, those in the north of scotland should receive higher payments than those in the south of England. The temperature drops drastically the further north you go and although it rarely drops below the extra payment level, except in extreme conditions, normally scotland experiences longer, colder spells than the south. Fuel costs more in the north also, so higher heating bills all round.
My husband was made redundant last year and we are entitled to nothing because we have savings. We don't have a new car every year. Cars in this house are expected to last about 10 years at least. I don't upgrade my furniture, curtains, carpets etc just because the colours don't match. In 30 years of marriage I have had my kitchen replaced once, consequently I have only ever had one new cooker. The others have either been second hand or already in the property. Because instead of spending we have saved we are penalised for being careful.
I have no problem with pensioners getting winter fuel payments, some deserve that and more. The ones I object to are the ones who spend spend spend and then expect the state to look after them. There choice yes, but why should I pay for there lifestyle.
I agree entirely that these payments should not go to higher rate tax payers provided that the administrative costs are well below the money saved and then the 'profit' should go to improve the basic pension
All pensioners should be paid the heating allowance regardless of income.
Yes higher tax payers should be exempt.They're obviously living the life of Riley already