expat heating allowance to be removed

dwr6rtr


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 08:43

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/heating-benefits-for-expat-elderly-to-be-cut-1987490.html

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 08:46

This thread could turn into a very heated debate !!

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 08:53

The article is of course incorrect, the winter fuel payment is NOT paid to all (expats) over 60, ONLY to those who were already receiving it before they moved to warmer climes. That means that MOST of us do NOT receive it. It should be paid to all expats abroad (in the EU) or to none. TRNC counts as EU by the way for pensuions and allowances by virtue of Turkey's bid to join the EU. This means, inter alia, that our UK State Pension paid here into our banks is subject to any annual increases,

Geoff

Famagusta City

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 11:01

It is difficult to make a case for universal payment of this benefit. However, is it "fair" that people on above average income qualify for child benefit/allowance automatically when the sums paid to them would be better given to those who are on lower incomes?

If fairness came into it, why should millionaires qualify for OAP?

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 11:33

Because millionaires are the ones that pay most tax!!! they keep a lot of the workshy in benifits.....



Never seen a lazy millionare yet! so why shouldnt they recieve as others..... Give £1 to a miilionaire they will turn it into more, give £1 to a benifit workshy they turn it into a packet of fags or go to a pub..... simples..



Coachie, this ones for you to have a 'go' at, unless you are still sulking re the election! x

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 11:47

Dizzy



What about the feckless rich who only inherited wealth?



How are they going to police this rule? What about people who live in both countries? Is the cost of policing it more than the saving?



It's not a means tested benefit so how are they going to regulate those who maintain a property in the UK?



Personally, I've no financial interest in it but they are relevant questions...

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 11:50

Oh and for a government who have made great promises of cutting costs this would appear to require the hiring of rafts of extra benefits staff to police it.... Doh!

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 12:04

Dizzycows

"Never seen a lazy millionare yet!"



Havent a clue whether Gary Robb was lazy or not and I doubt whether you do either.





Millionaires pay the least tax,not the most.

The top 5% in the country pay less than 10% income tax while the rest of the peasants pay between 20% and 40%.



workshy benifit cheats.?

You obviously havent heard about the multi millionaire David Laws and his benifit cheating .Oops ,you call it something posher when its the rich that do it. Pure greed ,

See his replacement Douglas Alexander ,another one not short of a bob or two, has been caught out benifit cheating.

Evading paying taxes on a second home,off course using your logic ,quite right as it would only go to the worhshy uemployed that are refusing well paid jobs because they are so well rewarded after being sacked (£60 a week).

Get used to the fact that benifit cheats ,tax dodgers ,con men , do not all come from the great unwashed. A cheat is a cheat regardless of what school he went t

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 13:49

girne 29.Well said,you beat me to it.DC seems to think all benefit cheats are labour people,how wrong that appears to be. By the way Dizzy I am not sulking over the election results.Cameron did not win an outright mandate and neither did the others so I look upon it as a job well done by good old Gordie.Perhaps if a few more skeletons emerge from these cupboards we may have another election.As for Clegg,he just teamed up with the other lot so he could say he was the only Lib/Dem min modern times to hold such a high position in a coalition government.We shall see what they come up with for the future and if the recent couple of weeks is anything to go by,I wont expect a lot....

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 14:21

it's also worth reading the article:

"But officials already fear the attempts to take the benefits from those living abroad may fall foul of strict European laws preventing the Government from discriminating against those choosing to live abroad. Previous attempts to reform the allowance were abandoned by Labour after ministers hit the same problem."

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 15:05

The Lib/Con government say they are going to get 2.5 million off benefits and into work.

Fair enough, but where are the jobs going to come from?

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 15:09

Do you want fries with that ???? Now that is a job worth fighting for.

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 15:20

Msg 5: "give £1 to a benifit workshy they turn it into a packet of fags or go to a pub..... simples.."



When did you last buy a packet of fags or go to the pub....for a £1???

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 15:33

Teatime the fage in TRNC very cheap but then you've got the fortnightly airfare to sign on Its swings & aeroplanes beer is cheaper in uK(supermarkets)

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 17:03

And so it should be removed, if people are not resident in the UK or not there during the winter they should not get it.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 17:32

Is Gary Robb a millionaire then? Dont really know of his finances.



You all seem to miss the point, ....coachie you too, give someone who knows how to handle money a £1 coin being just an example! give the same to some one on benifits, they waste..... Nothing to do with whether they are Labour. Its called enterprise and those mostly on benifits do not have this culture.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 17:47

TheSaints, the allowance is also for those with pensions from which the UK deducts tax. If you live in Cyprus (an EU country) you should be treated as if you were living in the UK (an EU country.) It is to be used by pensioners for heating and I can see no reason why cold UK pensioners in the UK should get the allowance if cold UK pensioners in another part of the EU aren't going to be allowed it. At least that's the EU's view.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 18:27

Dizzycows

Yes he is. I thought you knew all the millionaires.? What about lottery winners are none of them lazy.







Those mostly on benifits? So I could handle money while working, then I was on benifits for a while, so I was a waster and couldnt handle money anymore. Then I started my own business, but whoa ,how could I have started my own business if I was a waster on benifits who blew every pound on fags drinking and gambling.



What people on benifits do you mean that waste.Child tax credit on up to £50k ? Try living on benifits ,just see how you would get by .Waste! most of these people know more about not wasting than you will ever learn,they watch every penny,As for the scroungers they exist in all walks of live,not just the lower orders,and dont have to be on benifits,just look at the non lazy bankers, or non lazy royal hangers on,or non lazy MP's



Got to go ,I'm away to the bookies then pub, we just got our winter fuel allowance and its burning a hole in my pocket.

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 18:27

saints agree totoally - quite right too the whole benefit system is a shabbles Family allowance should be means tested at the end of the day I get FA but I dont feel I should it goes on my daughters driving lessons.!! it should go to real families that are struggling. However as in the press lately some work the system and are better off then working its a mess



My millionaire MD /owner does not need the heating allowance and I dont believe others that are living in warmer climates do either whilst poor little grannie down the road is worried where her next penny is coming from to put the gas fire on !! what do you spend yours on a few EFES's a night out or do you actually pay your bills to keep you warm



my tin hat is at the ready !!

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 18:30

my millionaire owner of the company I work for sorry not clear !! and yes I have told him he doesnt need !!

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 18:42

Its bloody cold out here in the winter and damp TRNC houses are not built for winter and the fuels dear too just like the uk

It costs more to means test than collect it also starts a whole avoidance industry for millionaires and accountants raise the limits lower the tax and you will collect more

At the moment governments world wide are sucking in money and strangling the economy

Sorry I've served my time working and paid my dues I want my money for winter fuel pension the lot

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 19:30

I still pay tax on my pension, as long as I do then I will accept the heating allowance, end of story.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 20:12

and you will always pay tax on your pension, hattikins, even if you never set foot in the UK again and never use a single of its services. It only works one way with ex-pats.

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 20:19

There are only two things certain in this life, death and taxes, and I have no choice in either of them so at least let me be warm in the winter.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 20:20

Well done you then girne 29. Perhaps you were one of the ones that are enterprising..... If you were to read what I wrote you wouldnt be so sensitive regarding benifit etc. I wrote 'mostly', not all.....



All over 60 should get the winter fuel allowance whether they are in GB or not. Its pea nuts compared with what gets paid out to the 'job seekers' and other scroungers.....



And the millionaires have huge houses to heat, they should get double!!! no treble!!!......



wait for it..........

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 20:31

i made the mistake of telling them i lived here so nothing for me however i know many here that do get it, hatts you are so right the winter here is so cold as we have no carpets or central heating to fall back on and the cost of logs well i could go one, just went back to the cold days in ireland wherby we wear loads of layers xxxxxxx

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 21:01

lol cold are you kidding - 18 is cold, I think you guys have forgotton what cold is



anyway my millionaire boss said it will fill just about fill his Audi R8 and his Ferrari up ! and I am not joking



it should go to the more deserving IMO

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 21:03

sienna beleive me its cold, go to bed in leggings ansd jumpers and the dampness, the bed is so damp we need electric blankets. xxxxxxx

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 21:33

Message 26, Sorry, don't know why the post was duplicated.

YeniTom


Joined: 29/12/2009
Posts: 198

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 23:32

The days when I woke up and pushed aside my layers of blankets and eiderdown. Went to the window and had to wipe the ice off the inside of the glass before I could see out. Came downstairs in my pj's and got dressed in front of the open fire. Nip outside and get the next bucket of coke to stack the fire. Go to the outside loo only to find it all frozen up.............. those were the days.



Cold in Cyprus? You're havin a larff

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
31/05/2010 23:47

exactly chilly maybe but not freezing like here ) ) as said good decision its funny that you are in the EU when you want something but no oher laws are followed

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 10:10

YeniTom, you had coke! When I was young we lived in a shoebox...

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 11:01

We spend Christmas in TRNC every year and it can be very very cold . Not experienced freezing conditions . But experienced snow on the car coming down from the mountains.

So in a nutshell some pensioners do have a need for heating allowance in TRNC as the weather can be very cold !!!

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 11:03

what temperature is it there at night in the winter ?

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 11:58

Not sure exact temp . But the year before last needed to wrap up with scarves gloves coats . In the apartment needed the obvious warm air on, electric blankets ,bath room heating on . Last year was a lot warmer for us but no doubt it can be quite cold.

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 12:02

last winter at night it was 6deg and very damp x

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 12:21

Whatever temperature it was it was bloody cold !!!!!

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 12:53

yes! it was very cold, the damp got through to our bones, we were clock watching to go to bed with the lecci blanket! these places are not built for winter! x

sienna


Joined: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1627

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 13:07

its only 9°C now at night in the South of the UK thats what I mean you have it for a short while think of the elderly that are still cold now. I am sitting in my office with radiator on its 1ST JUNE

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 13:21

what about an air-conditioner allowance then?

ClaireCat44



Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 739

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 15:52

Why is it just the 'elderly' that get this allowance?? I get cold too. (and it is freezing cold here in Jan/Feb - gas heaters (x2), no fire this year, couldn't afford the logs, 2 quilts, a hot water bottle, 2 hours for the immersion to heat enough water for my bath, thermal socks, 4 cats and as a last resort, the air-con on hot for a bit.)

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
01/06/2010 16:00

Clairecat,

You're quite right this is ageism.

What you need is someone to put your cold feet on in the winter.