Winter fuel payments cut Options

[Richard Garvie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12846318

The yearly tax-free payment to help people pay for their heating in the winter was worth £250 for the over 60s last week, and £400 for the over 80s.

But the payment will revert to £200 and £300 for the two age groups in the winter of 2011-12.

[Andy Capp]

In opposition, it is a part of the political method to bring to the front the stories that are concealed, but I agree that I suspect that Labour would have made the cut as well. Just like with the 10p tax rate, I see them as election bribes.

[GMR]

In opposition, it is a part of the political method to bring to the front the stories that are concealed, but I agree that I suspect that Labour would have made the cut as well. Just like they did with the 10p tax rate. I see them as election bribes.

I.e.in other words they are hypocrites. They got us into this mess and then decide to attack the coalition for doing what they would have done if they had stayed in power.

[NWNREADER]

I.e.in other words they are hypocrites. They got us into this mess and then decide to attack the coalition for doing what they would have done if they had stayed in power.

They would never admit that, as they are currently saying what they would have done. That is meaningless waffle, of course; words in a world of action, saying what they thing we want to hear free of the strictures of accountability.

Parties talk of being in 'power'. They are not. They hold responsibility for a period 'we' decide.

Politics has become hypocritical by definition.

[Andy Capp]

Parties talk of being in 'power'. They are not.

I think they are.

They hold responsibility for a period 'we' decide.

Only from the options made available.

Politics has become hypocritical by definition.

I'd say politics is hypocritical and possibly always has been so-long as man has been involved.

Like I said, the present government are in my view acting out policies they kept from the electorate.

[NWNREADER]

I think they are.


Only from the options made available.
No problem with different opinions


I'd say politics is hypocritical and possibly always has been so-long as man has been involved.

Like I said, the present government are in my view acting out policies they kept from the electorate.
You may well be right - that they knew they would not deliver their 'promises' - but the opportunity was given them on a solid gold platter. I certainly believe the (national) Lib Dems are hoist on their own petard having made promises in the belief they would never be accountable!

When it comes to politics I take little account of what someone 'would do' if they had the chance. Doing the nasty bit now leaves the Conservatives with the chance to sweeten us up in time for the next election. Doing it slowly would likely mean we are still in turmoil in 4 years, which would give Labour a foot in the door to take back the reins just as the actions are about to bear fruit. Then they claim the credit........

[Jayjay]

When it comes to politics I take little account of what someone 'would do' if they had the chance. Doing the nasty bit now leaves the Conservatives with the chance to sweeten us up in time for the next election. Doing it slowly would likely mean we are still in turmoil in 4 years, which would give Labor a foot in the door to take back the reins just as the actions are about to bear fruit. Then they claim the credit........

I do understand your point, but from the financial figures recently released it appears that the policies are not working. We could accept the big rush of pain instead of the drip feed if we could see an improvement in anything. At present it seems in four years time Labor could take over a bigger deficit than they left, the largest unemployment figures in history, a non existent NHS and uncontrollable inflation. We will also have the impact of new countries coming into the EU during the life of this government and the associated financial challenges associated with that.

[NWNREADER]

I do understand your point, but from the financial figures recently released it appears that the policies are not working. We could accept the big rush of pain instead of the drip feed if we could see an improvement in anything. At present it seems in four years time Labor could take over a bigger deficit than they left, the largest unemployment figures in history, a non existent NHS and uncontrollable inflation. We will also have the impact of new countries coming into the EU during the life of this government and the associated financial challenges associated with that.

Too soon to tell if policies are 'working', as they are not quick fixes and are affected by external forces. Usually the true effect takes a couple of years for the deeper rooted effects to come through.

As for the unemployment figures, 'in history' is a bit strong, and the simple number means little. Some say the number is over 4m. At one time that was the whole population......... For many years now the Government of the day changes the way that number is counted in order to demonstrate they have got the figures down. As for non-existant NHS, sorry, but that doesn't wash. So much guff has been spoken about the death of the NHS and it hasn't happened yet even though the original concept (and opportunities) are miles ahead of the 1947 model.

Look, if it was easy we'd all do it.....

[Cognosco]

Too soon to tell if policies are 'working', as they are not quick fixes and are affected by external forces. Usually the true effect takes a couple of years for the deeper rooted effects to come through.

As for the unemployment figures, 'in history' is a bit strong, and the simple number means little. Some say the number is over 4m. At one time that was the whole population......... For many years now the Government of the day changes the way that number is counted in order to demonstrate they have got the figures down. As for non-existant NHS, sorry, but that doesn't wash. So much guff has been spoken about the death of the NHS and it hasn't happened yet even though the original concept (and opportunities) are miles ahead of the 1947 model.

Look, if it was easy we'd all do it.....

The Americans are already hovering trying to pounce on the new GP Consortia. The GP Consortia will have to employ external advisor's they are unable to deal the the administration of the billions that the NHS requires to manage. Make no mistake this is privatisation and the sharks are circling?

[NWNREADER]

The Americans are already hovering trying to pounce on the new GP Consortia. The GP Consortia will have to employ external advisor's they are unable to deal the the administration of the billions that the NHS requires to manage. Make no mistake this is privatisation and the sharks are circling?

What is the NHS? A service that has to be run by Government down to the last swab, pill, nurse and cleaner? Or a structure to deliver health care to everyone without them having to worry about an individual bill for each visit to the Dr etc? Governments are notoriously inefficient at running services.......

[Cognosco]

What is the NHS? A service that has to be run by Government down to the last swab, pill, nurse and cleaner? Or a structure to deliver health care to everyone without them having to worry about an individual bill for each visit to the Dr etc? Governments are notoriously inefficient at running services.......

Not arguing about the NHS being run efficiently? But I do not like the idea of profits being creamed off for shareholders gain? If a GP is in charge of all the NHS budget then it actually pays him/her to not send you to hospital for treatment. GP's will be able to force you to go to the hospital private or NHS that submits the lowest quotation for the treatment that you require even if this happens to be many miles from where you live. As the old saying goes you only get what you pay for. You will now see a rash of private hospitals setting up to reap the profits from certain types of surgery etc that can be done at reasonable costs and make money for the sharholders.
Any other treatment such as cancer and other difficult treatments will be left for the NHS hospitals to deal with where no money can be made. Because the cream has been picked off then of course the NHS hospitals will run with an even bigger deficit.

Some essential services should remain just that, public services, and should not be run for profit.

[NWNREADER]

Not arguing about the NHS being run efficiently? But I do not like the idea of profits being creamed off for shareholders gain? If a GP is in charge of all the NHS budget then it actually pays him/her to not send you to hospital for treatment. GP's will be able to force you to go to the hospital private or NHS that submits the lowest quotation for the treatment that you require even if this happens to be many miles from where you live. As the old saying goes you only get what you pay for. You will now see a rash of private hospitals setting up to reap the profits from certain types of surgery etc that can be done at reasonable costs and make money for the sharholders.
Any other treatment such as cancer and other difficult treatments will be left for the NHS hospitals to deal with where no money can be made. Because the cream has been picked off then of course the NHS hospitals will run with an even bigger deficit.

Some essential services should remain just that, public services, and should not be run for profit.

I agree, private companies making outrageous profits from providing public services is wrong
This is an example