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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:11am
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Geordiemark wrote on Sun Jan 14, 2024 11:00pm:
Not to be contentious, but I really don't think anyone living in Spain should be entitled to the winter fuel allowance under any circumstances.
They don't get it if they live in Spain, but those that have a holiday home in Spain and spend most of the winter here still get it.
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:22pm
Helpful member
roland wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:37am:
Rich people get old age pensions despite not needing the money, but they are paid up and it's not means tested. It was decided years ago that everyone who fits the rule would get the heating supplement.
I just think it’s wrong for someone living in a warm country to get a winter fuel allowance. Apart from the fact that utility cost are lower in Spain, there are plenty of pensioners in the UK dealing with rising utility costs and much harsher temperatures. No money going to Spain means more money that could be used for those that really need it.
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:12pm
Helpful member
Geordiemark wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:22pm:
I just think it’s wrong for someone living in a warm country to get a winter fuel allowance. Apart from the fact that utility cost are lower in Spain, there are plenty of pensioners in the UK dealing with rising utility costs and much harsher temperatures. No money going to Spain means more mon...
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...ey that could be used for those that really need it.
Do you really think that those that need it would get it? The British government is always trying to think of ways NOT to give pensioners a decent pension ( trying to stop triple lock for example). isn’t it funny that it’s always the pensioners that are targeted and never the bankers or other “fat cats”? And yes I do know that there are some wealth pensioners, but not a big percentage.
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:55pm
Helpful member
Aggis wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:12pm:
Do you really think that those that need it would get it? The British government is always trying to think of ways NOT to give pensioners a decent pension ( trying to stop triple lock for example). isn’t it funny that it’s always the pensioners that are targeted and never the bankers or other...
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... “fat cats”? And yes I do know that there are some wealth pensioners, but not a big percentage.
Bit selfish that, I think. Whether or not you think that pensioners sitting at home in sub zero temps would actually get any extra isn't the point I'm trying to make. BTW it hasn't got above zero degrees here in the North East of England today, yes the evenings can be cool in Spain in winter, but I'll bet it was mid to late teens in southern Spain today.
What I'm saying is that there is only so much money available and by claiming an allowance that you don't actually need, then that "pot" of money is reduced.
I'd like to see some form of discount on Electric/Gas bills in the Uk as a permanent allowance/assistance for those on a pension and the discontinuation of the so called winter allowance. That would be fair in my book. Help the people who actually need it.
tony3121 wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:11am:
They don't get it if they live in Spain, but those that have a holiday home in Spain and spend most of the winter here still get it.
I know several pensioners who come to Spain several times every winter because they save money by doing so, it's cheaper living here and one can be outside all day instead of being at home with heating on. Why should they not have their heating supplement anyway, as long as they qualify correctly? They have paid their corner. Those who say they should not get the supplement are paraphrasing a dangerous phrase written by a dangerous man - 'To each according to his needs, from each according to his ability.' - Karl Marx was it ? We all know where that led.
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:49am
Helpful member
roland wrote on Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:18pm:
I know several pensioners who come to Spain several times every winter because they save money by doing so, it's cheaper living here and one can be outside all day instead of being at home with heating on. Why should they not have their heating supplement anyway, as long as they qualify correctly...
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...? They have paid their corner. Those who say they should not get the supplement are paraphrasing a dangerous phrase written by a dangerous man - 'To each according to his needs, from each according to his ability.' - Karl Marx was it ? We all know where that led.
Greed is the root of all evil, someone famous once said, How true that quote is.
tony3121 wrote on Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:49am:
Greed is the root of all evil, someone famous once said, How true that quote is.
It's not greed it's the comfort of being able to leave their own heating on back home while they are here in Spain. It was -3 centigrade last night in Leeds and is forecast to get colder. These people naturally want to get out of that but cannot bring their house with them, so leave their heating on to protect from frost. If they qualify fair enough. I suspect envy that some people have a home in UK and can visit Spain when it suits them, or have two homes, one in UK and one in Spain, to swap between them as they wish.
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:06am
Helpful member
roland wrote on Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:59am:
It's not greed it's the comfort of being able to leave their own heating on back home while they are here in Spain. It was -3 centigrade last night in Leeds and is forecast to get colder. These people naturally want to get out of that but cannot bring their house with them, so leave their heating...
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... on to protect from frost. If they qualify fair enough. I suspect envy that some people have a home in UK and can visit Spain when it suits them, or have two homes, one in UK and one in Spain, to swap between them as they wish.
I obviously hit a nerve there.
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:41pm
Helpful member
roland wrote on Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:59am:
It's not greed it's the comfort of being able to leave their own heating on back home while they are here in Spain. It was -3 centigrade last night in Leeds and is forecast to get colder. These people naturally want to get out of that but cannot bring their house with them, so leave their heating...
Read more...
... on to protect from frost. If they qualify fair enough. I suspect envy that some people have a home in UK and can visit Spain when it suits them, or have two homes, one in UK and one in Spain, to swap between them as they wish.
You don't have to leave the heating on, most modern systems have a frost protection setting which will ensure that no frost damage occurs. When I come out I out my home system on holiday for whatever duration I'm in Spain, but if temps drop the system automatically cuts in to ensure no danger of frozen pipes. So these people who want the winter allowance even when they are sitting in Spain in the warm disgust me. More little englander syndrom
Geordiemark wrote on Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:41pm:
You don't have to leave the heating on, most modern systems have a frost protection setting which will ensure that no frost damage occurs. When I come out I out my home system on holiday for whatever duration I'm in Spain, but if temps drop the system automatically cuts in to ensure no danger of ...
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...frozen pipes. So these people who want the winter allowance even when they are sitting in Spain in the warm disgust me. More little englander syndrom
I am Spanish so doubtless you will have some special invective to suit my case?
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