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Discounts for OAPs

BiG said:
I can think of free prescriptions and a bus pass. And winter fuel allowance.

And I can separately offer potential explanations: why it’s beneficial to society as a whole, not to render the aging population in worse health or penury at a time when the medication they need has significantly increased. I can understand why using public transport, rather than requirement to walk or drive at a point in life when both are more challenging and hazardous to health. Plus maybe keeping warm is preferable to the aforementioned costs to the health service of ill health or more serious requirements due to poverty. There’s all that plus probably some more.

Any road up; means testing might be an argument. But I’m struggling to think of anything else apart from entry to a cinema, especially at times of day when there’s no fucker else there, pensioners portions for cheaper rates - rather than uneaten food because I eat less - and maybe cheaper haircuts - cos it takes five minutes. None of which is disadvantaging other taxpayers or ‘working families’ cis it’s all private enterprises.

And it galls me a bit to think there’s potentially a generation that begrudges me the things that didn’t even cross my mind when I, as a taxpayer, was contributing towards, for the wellbeing of my grandparents.

So I suppose you should be careful what you wish for. Because if you get it, in this case, some elements of your elderly existence are going to be a tiny bit more difficult - but more importantly - you’ll have been sent a very strong message by your children and their generation that maybe you should just fuck off and die. Literally.

(Not referring to anyone personally. )
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"First they came for the bus pass and i said nothing ..."
 

Zimba said:
Outdated thing in pubs, chippies and restaurants mind but thankfully most places have ditched it in recent years and replaced it with smaller portions for everyone. Much better imo as there's nowt worse when you have to get a full portion when you're not hungry. Chippies, in particular, used to be the worst.
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I got chips and curry on the front yesterday . Quarter went in bin but many savvy mams share portions out . Mine always did
 
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NorbertColon said:
In England.

I know, I was living in Scotland in my 50s and getting free prescriptions, moved back to England and had to start paying again.

Not sure why the English payers accept this situation so meekly.

Mind, I am not sure why they accept the Barnett formula so meekly either.
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Means testing would cost more to implement in Scotland than it would save. Presumably that isn't the case in England given the larger population.
 
Edinburgh Black Cat said:
Means testing would cost more to implement in Scotland than it would save. Presumably that isn't the case in England given the larger population.
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They don't need to means test for free prescriptions. Just do as in England over a certain age. Or better still make prescriptions free for all the three countries. The health of the nation is important and some people don't collect their prescriptions because of the cost.
 
John Steed said:
They don't need to means test for free prescriptions. Just do as in England over a certain age. Or better still make prescriptions free for all the three countries. The health of the nation is important and some people don't collect their prescriptions because of the cost.
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Nobody should get free prescriptions, everyone should pay a nominal fee per item instead, let’s say 50p an item.

The typical pensioner will be getting anywhere between 2 items and 12 items per month.

So even an exceptional case would be £10 a month.

There are people in their 60s on £50k, £60k, £70k a year getting free prescriptions, whilst people half their age are paying £10 an item.

Obviously they should be buying a PPC for about £130 a year if it’s a regular thing.
peachy said:
Should there still be a state pension when you reach whatever the retirement age is, would you accept it?
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Yes. I believe there should be a state pension and everyone who qualifies for it, should get it.
 
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Frijj said:
Nobody should get free prescriptions, everyone should pay a nominal fee per item instead, let’s say 50p an item.

The typical pensioner will be getting anywhere between 2 items and 12 items per month.

So even an exceptional case would be £10 a month.

There are people in their 60s on £50k, £60k, £70k a year getting free prescriptions, whilst people half their age are paying £10 an item.

Obviously they should be buying a PPC for about £130 a year if it’s a regular thing.


Yes. I believe there should be a state pension and everyone who qualifies for it, should get it.
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There are millions who aren't on those incomes though. If Scotland gets them free then so should the other countries. Same with university places.
 
John Steed said:
There are millions who aren't on those incomes though. If Scotland gets them free then so should the other countries. Same with university places.
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I would take free scripts and free uni away. 50p an item and a dramatic overhaul of the uni sector anyways. Close half of the unis we’ve got, restructure the fees and abolish the graduate visa scheme.
 
Frijj said:
I would take free scripts and free uni away. 50p an item and a dramatic overhaul of the uni sector anyways. Close half of the unis we’ve got, restructure the fees and abolish the graduate visa scheme.
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A nominal fee like 50p would be ok for prescriptions. Medication that is essential to keeping a patient alive should always be free though.
 
Frijj said:
They’d collect a lot of revenue and they can be administered in the exact same manner as the state administer £9.90 from me for every script.
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How much revenue and what is the cost of collection?

Or we could go the Scottish route and have everyone free ...

So much hate. Why don't you like your parents? Or sick people for that matter?

Asking for an old sick friend
 
Mousehold Mackem said:
How much revenue and what is the cost of collection?

Or we could go the Scottish route and have everyone free ...

So much hate. Why don't you like your parents? Or sick people for that matter?

Asking for an old sick friend
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What’s hateful about 50p an item? I don’t want prescriptions to be free, free things create waste.

Saying I don’t like my parents is crossing a line, don’t go there, there’s no need.
 
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