Pensioners pay bankers' bonus

[David Johnson]

"WHAT HAVE YOU ACTUALLY DONE TO EXPRESS THIS TO OTHER THAN MOAN ON HERE .
Write to your MP , or Paper , or joined an action group ..."

Since you ask, I have done all of the above on this and other political issues I post about.

Not that it appears to make a bit of difference, of course.

[sparky]

David Johnson wrote:

> Well there you have it. On the one hand, tax rate reduction
> for those on above ?150K from 50p to 45p in 2013. Works out
> as a tidy sum for all those millionaire bankers out there.
>
> And where is a big chunk of the money coming from? For
> 2011-12, the pensioners personal allowance is over ?2K more
> than the basic tax allowance for people working and gets
> updated on a regular basis. The extra allowance for pensioners
> reflected the fact that they were on a fixed income including
> in many cases relatively low pensions.
>
> But now from 2013, for new pensioners the personal tax
> allowance for pensioners will be the same as the basic tax
> allowance.
>
> Well done, pensioners for supporting UK millionaires. Don't
> worry you can always get a few extra hours at B&Q!!!


Great as ever the rich get richer while yet another squeeze on those already retired. On top of fuel and other cost rises way above any increase in their pensions they now have a low or even no return on any investments that several years ago they envisaged would be a significant top up to their income.
Even if they decide to work a few hours that doesn't help the larger picture with such high unemployment.

Part of my pension planning assumed the higher tax threshold would continue. Linked to crap interest rates and funds loosing money in real terms it continually looks longer before I can retire yet these bankers think they are the best thing since sliced bread and deserve whopping bonuses, lower tax etc.
!rant!

[David Johnson]

Given that the economy has flatlined for 18 months under this lot and the Office of Budget Responsibility reckons that all the measures in today's budget will add the magnificent figure of 0.1% to UK growth, I suspect that we will have years and years and years and years of similar.

They reckon only about 10% of the cuts announced by Osborne a year or so ago have actually kicked in so far.

Without growth, there is no solution to the deficit problem resulting from the banking collapse.

Of course, when Greece goes oops a daisy, then watch out! We'll be lucky to get the pension as predicted.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Sorry everyone but the myth of the hard up pensioner is precisely that, a myth. I live Oop North and the local pensioners are too busy playing Golf, Bowls, Bingo, keeping the local off licence and bookies busy to be worried about finances...many pensioners did something weird, they had jobs and saved up for retirement...my parents worked hard, built their own home and as a result my mother lives in comfort, pays her bills and gets the basic state pension. Others pissed it up against a wall, saved nothing a hey presto get their rent, council tax and everything else paid for...time to reward thrift and hard work and stop pandering to the workshy scroungers who are destroying my beloved country.

[Toliverwist]

*************
Arginald Valleywater
Date: 03-22-12 03:15

Sorry everyone but the myth of the hard up pensioner is precisely that, a myth.
*************

Pension poverty: UK among Europe's worst
Data from the European Commission, show that the UK has the fourth highest levels of poverty amongst over-65s in Europe?


Growing number of pensioners face fuel poverty
with around half of those questioned saying they have turned their heating down when they are not warm enough in an attempt to save money.


Pensioner poverty 'unacceptable'
a group of MPs says.


Poorest pensioners face 'heat or eat' concern
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that all retired households raised fuel spending by 7% during cold snaps.

The poorest quarter of pensioner households also decreased their food spending by a similar proportion during the same period


Poverty-line plight of ?27 a day pensioners: Retirement income is barely enough to cover bills
The report, from the Office for National Statistics, found 53 per cent of single pensioners receive pension income of less than ?10,000 a year.


Action call over pensioner poverty
The European Commission statistics, published by Eurostat, place the UK's elderly among the worst in Europe, with 30% living on incomes far below the national average.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Sorry mate but I work in Social Housing so see pensioners on a daily basis. There is no real poverty in this country, unless you mean only having a normal Sky box, not HD and a mere 40 inch Samsung tv. As for the Guardian it is toilet paper and panders to left wing aristocrats, it is not the real world...

[Toliverwist]

******************
Arginald Valleywater
Date: 03-22-12 18:53

Sorry mate but I work in Social Housing so see pensioners on a daily basis. There is no real poverty in this country, unless you mean only having a normal Sky box, not HD and a mere 40 inch Samsung tv. As for the Guardian it is toilet paper and panders to left wing aristocrats, it is not the real world...
******************

I suspect there is more credibility in mass surveys, and government figures, than in your limited anecdotes, experiences and opinions as a mere individual.