An Advisor to the new chancellor, ex HMRC man and previously advisor to Ken Clarke, thinks this may be a good idea.
There is an efficient system of progressive taxation in place, which is used to tax wealthy pensioners at a higher rate, this is open to amendment (Increase!!!) without much admin. Much more efficient than means testing and without the stigma. I think its because they have promised not to raise income tax or national insurance, and they think most pensioners vote Tory anyway, but there are still enough labour voters in this age group to be significant. They imagine only Tories will be against it.
In fact they are abolishing the State Pension and turning it into part of a Pension Credit. This mean to apply for the full state pension you may have to, as separated person living in a house with your ex partner, have a form to fill in saying that you keep your food in different places , usally eat at different times, sleep in a different bed etc.
From reading Mumsnet regarding Universal Credit, not Pension Credit - Allegedly if you have sex with them occaisionaly it's OK, thats a casual thing!!!!
It appears it's to stoke up jelously of "Boomers" among younger people, as if they all bought a house fairly young and had well paid jobs. I'd point out that possibly a majority, or certainly very large minority of people now aged over 67, left school at 15 and paid tax and N.I for 51 years. Anyway I have thought it's very much LATE boomers and a slightly younger cohort that were early in property purchasers.
Up until now I've voted Lib-Dem tactically a few times but maybe not tactically in future. Statistically I've still got 3 general elections in me. "PG" as my nan would have said.
I don't think my relatively small company pension, plus my soon to be qualified for state pension would make me "rich", so it's not a personal concern.
Means Testing makes me think of Hunger Marches, but perhaps not many in the present labour circles.
There is an efficient system of progressive taxation in place, which is used to tax wealthy pensioners at a higher rate, this is open to amendment (Increase!!!) without much admin. Much more efficient than means testing and without the stigma. I think its because they have promised not to raise income tax or national insurance, and they think most pensioners vote Tory anyway, but there are still enough labour voters in this age group to be significant. They imagine only Tories will be against it.
In fact they are abolishing the State Pension and turning it into part of a Pension Credit. This mean to apply for the full state pension you may have to, as separated person living in a house with your ex partner, have a form to fill in saying that you keep your food in different places , usally eat at different times, sleep in a different bed etc.
From reading Mumsnet regarding Universal Credit, not Pension Credit - Allegedly if you have sex with them occaisionaly it's OK, thats a casual thing!!!!
It appears it's to stoke up jelously of "Boomers" among younger people, as if they all bought a house fairly young and had well paid jobs. I'd point out that possibly a majority, or certainly very large minority of people now aged over 67, left school at 15 and paid tax and N.I for 51 years. Anyway I have thought it's very much LATE boomers and a slightly younger cohort that were early in property purchasers.
Up until now I've voted Lib-Dem tactically a few times but maybe not tactically in future. Statistically I've still got 3 general elections in me. "PG" as my nan would have said.
I don't think my relatively small company pension, plus my soon to be qualified for state pension would make me "rich", so it's not a personal concern.
Means Testing makes me think of Hunger Marches, but perhaps not many in the present labour circles.
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