Randy Ostrich
Striker
Relative poverty rates are significantly higher for children - which is kind of the point of the thread
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Discounts for OAPs
- Thread starter chunkyshanhawk53
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zinedine
Striker
Eh? I thought it was a thread about OAP discounts.
Randy Ostrich
Striker
Pretty sure it's about the difference in income protection and living standards between OAPs and the rest of the population. Apologies if I'm wrong - those ONS stats say 30% of children live in relative poverty so I'm guessing you'll think they're more deserving of help as a demographic group than pensioners.
zinedine
Striker
Surely it's their parents who need help? As children are a group you can't directly give money to. Any group of people who are living in poverty is a disgrace in a country like this. But I certainly wouldn't say, as you have, that it's an idea to take off one group and give to another. That's yet again the race to the bottom.
I'm commenting on the elderly in any case. With the argument junkies on here disagreeing with you for the sake of it, I think that's enough.
Randy Ostrich
Striker
No winter fuel payment for parents though.
I havent suggested taking money from any group have I? Im providing context for the thread that you seem to be missing.
And my mum at 73 would definitely object to being described as elderly. Today's pensioners are predicted to have longer lives than their grandchildren. This is the fittest, healthiest and wealthiest generation there has ever been.
42
Striker
CountryAverage Full-Time Gross Earnings (Annual)Absolute Minimum Safety Net Floor (Annual)Safety Net as a % of Average EarningsGermany~€53,790~€14,400 (Cash + covered rent)~26.8%UK~€45,800 (£39,039)~€14,500 (£12,376 Pension Credit)~31.7%France~€43,790~€12,144 (ASPA top-up)~27.7%Spain~€33,700~€8,806 (Non-contributory)~26.1%
Basic pension as a % of Average earnings is higher in uk than spain, france & Germany.
Spain trade off lower wages for employers paying 30% NI. Over government has had a ton of shit flung at it for putting it upto 15% with people suggesting itll depress wages. Which it likely will, but things aren't that simple & difficult to make comparisons.
Basic pension as a % of Average earnings is higher in uk than spain, france & Germany.
Spain trade off lower wages for employers paying 30% NI. Over government has had a ton of shit flung at it for putting it upto 15% with people suggesting itll depress wages. Which it likely will, but things aren't that simple & difficult to make comparisons.
zinedine
Striker
Why are you asking me this? I've never mentioned children.
Also when you said children were more deserving than pensioners: it sounded like you were saying can only give to one. That we should take from pensioners and give to kids. Otherwise why say it? It's possible to help both.
Randy Ostrich
Striker
I thought it was obvious? You said that 14.5% of older people live in relative poverty to counter the argument about pensioners being relatively better off than other age groups. The fact that 30% of children are in relative poverty would suggest that younger age groups are generally more deserving of help than older ones. It is indeed possible to help both - but when it was suggested that we introduce means testing to some pensioners benefits there was an outcry.
zinedine
Striker
Again you're telling this to the wrong person. It certainly wasn't me who was outcrying about means testing. Maybe ask the outcryers is a good idea.
I also didn't say that 14.5% of pensioners live in relative poverty. I put up government figures that said it.
I've never said children are less deserving than pensioners. So, as I've already said, I dont know why you're asking me my opinion on this.
You're trying to "counter" an argument that doesn't exist. Other than the one you're trying to create with me for some oddball reason.
Why don't you start a thread about child poverty? I'll join it and say it's a disgrace.
Ridiculous that such a thing is offered when they’re better placed to manage food bills than say, under 30s with kids.
As this thread has shown however, there are a lot of pensioners who feel they’re owed something for “hard work” which in their minds is harder than anyone has ever worked ever
I still don’t see any reason why age related concessions shouldn’t be illegal. I’m sure you’ll smugly tell me that’s how private business works and I’ll sigh at you
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Different countries have different approaches to income tax and employer’s NI.
All I can draw from that is that our employer’s Ni is relatively tiny.
This is absolutely the obvious thing that’s needs to happen.
Lots of pensioners are living (mortgage-free) in expensive houses, collecting private pensions on top of any state pension and yet, when the issue of tax falls upon them, they are vocal and powerful at the voting box.
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nandos sonic sauce
Striker
Comes to money and people show their true colours 
Will e
Midfield
Comes to money and people show their true colours
In every way imaginable (see above)
Makem57
Central Defender
A house is a home, doesn’t matter if it worth £80,000 or £500,000 it's only worth that if you sell it, as far as tax goes I have paid tax for most of my life, and as long as it goes to make mine and everyone else's life better I don't mind and. I have paid a lot of tax over the years.
42
Striker
Id say generally no. As an aside, its strange that when free TV licence (which is a similar value to WFA) became means tested via pension credits, there wasnt anywhere near the meltdown over it. A few grumbles & was quickly forgotten about.
DaveH
Striker
Well, all you need to do is find a political party that wants to put the time and effort in to making OAP discounts a priority and vote for them. Until one pops up, you are stuck seething with bitterness.
Do bear in mind that there is no direct benefit to any government in doing so. Also remember the point of free bus travel is to get older people out and socialising and an active pensioner base means lower NHS and care costs. All these discounted tuna sandwiches contribute to that.
Big Bellyingham
Central Defender
I am fortunate to have my own car
However the last few years I’ve started using public transport a lot more and have been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed it-coupled with driving becoming a chore as my “ reactions “ slow as does my driving and others getting annoyed that I’m not flying about -the A19 especially
Got the Mega Bus to Man City away this season and have to say it was a pleasure
Comfortable -cheap as chips -and bang on time both ways .
As you say it’s less cars on the road -so a win win really -appreciate older folk have more time than when we were younger .
c032745y
Striker
This thread has brought the churlish, the bitter & the ill informed out in droves. Blokes a few years older than me get a discount on their haircut, whoopee-f*cking-doo!
Find something real to twist about. Somebody, somewhere who you've probably never met getting a little bit discount or even freebies, has zero effect on your life...
Find something real to twist about. Somebody, somewhere who you've probably never met getting a little bit discount or even freebies, has zero effect on your life...
