Cut pensioner benefits 'immediately'

[Shabbychic]

The government should waste no time in cutting pensioner benefits, advises the Taxpayers' Alliance.

Mr Wild, who is research director of the think tank which campaigns for lower taxes and highlights examples of Government waste, said the cuts should be made "as soon as possible after an election for two reasons".


"The first of which will sound a little bit morbid - some of the people... won't be around to vote against you in the next election. So that's just a practical point, and the other point is they might have forgotten by then."


He added: "If you did it now, chances are that in 2020 someone who has had their winter fuel cut might be thinking, 'Oh I can't remember, was it this government or was it the last one? I'm not quite sure.'

What a charming man.

[sids]

I think your "Alliance" are just UKIP-type loonies.

But thanks for linking to them.

[BetterTogether]

I'm sure you'll find equally outrageous ideas floated from think tanks for every party.

When they become policy there may be a case to answer until then it's just kicking about ideas.

[rob murray]

I'm sure you'll find equally outrageous ideas floated from think tanks for every party.

When they become policy there may be a case to answer until then it's just kicking about ideas.

But you will agree that if true, its a cynical cruel "idea" though ?

[BetterTogether]

But you will agree that if true, its a cynical cruel "idea" though ?

Yes it's not the best I'd not be in favour of it. I doubt it will become policy.

Better than saying you've got integrity and support the poor while ripping them off though. Eh

[theone]

'A Think tank'.

Think tanks can advise and suggest whatever they want, in the same way Labour's new farming minister suggests meat eaters should be treated like smokers.

'Thinking' it, 'suggesting' and 'advising' it is not a problem. I'll worry about it if the government actually decides to try to implement it.

[weezer 316]

I wish it was policy. Pensioners, and those due to claim the penson soon, have landed my generation knee deep in it, firstly by taking all the houses, not building more and then by running us into debt. I wont see a state pension yet will have worked all my life.

If you work all your life, you should pay into a private pension. Your ENTIRE working life to pay into it. No excuses. Only those on the bare minumum should have a state pension provided for them upon retirement.

Our pension bill is over £80bn a year. It matches our Education and defence budgets combined. Its lunacy. And I am paying for yours without hope of ever seeing mine.

[rob murray]

I wish it was policy. Pensioners, and those due to claim the penson soon, have landed my generation knee deep in it, firstly by taking all the houses, not building more and then by running us into debt. I wont see a state pension yet will have worked all my life.

If you work all your life, you should pay into a private pension. Your ENTIRE working life to pay into it. No excuses. Only those on the bare minumum should have a state pension provided for them upon retirement.

Our pension bill is over £80bn a year. It matches our Education and defence budgets combined. Its lunacy. And I am paying for yours without hope of ever seeing mine.

WHy not pay into a private pension, if your employed you will have one if not within next year or so.

[weezer 316]

Really? I have a stakeholder pension, I think it will be around.....

Really, why not? I wont see a public pension I bet. £80bn albatross round our neck when the vast majority of these people could ad should have provided for themselves in retirement. Many managed to provide themselves with a nice house they finished paying of years ago, why not a pension? Oh I know, that can be fobbed off until the next generation.....

Unreal. Nothing riles me more than this. Cut the pensions bill by 10% the £12bn austerity cuts could be cancelled, Consider than. WIpe that out entiterly and our budget deficit is gone.

[rob murray]

Really? I have a stakeholder pension, I think it will be around.....

Really, why not? I wont see a public pension I bet. £80bn albatross round our neck when the vast majority of these people could ad should have provided for themselves in retirement. Many managed to provide themselves with a nice house they finished paying of years ago, why not a pension? Oh I know, that can be fobbed off until the next generation.....

Unreal. Nothing riles me more than this. Cut the pensions bill by 10% the £12bn austerity cuts could be cancelled, Consider than. WIpe that out entiterly and our budget deficit is gone.

OK Ive paid national insurance contributions for 40 years, so I shouldnt get the miserable minimum state pension ?

[roshep]

Sorry is it wheezer or whinger !!!. Myself and many other pensioners would gladly contribute 10 per cent of our state pension to see the deficit gone, saying that how much would you be prepared to contribute ?. you will no doubt say you are paying into the pot at the moment as I did from the age of 15 till retirement