Jonathan Reynolds says ‘the nature of what we’ve inherited required immediate decisions’, as MPs set to vote on means-testing payments
In an interview with the Today programme this morning Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, said he accepted there was a case for reform of the winter fuel allowance. But he suggested the means-testing scheme should be made more generous. He said:
I would just ask the government not to rule out the possibility of a higher threshold, or indeed a taper of winter fuel allowance.
Because our experience in Greater Manchester is that pensioners are often reluctant to apply for the pension credit [which they will have to, under the government’s plan, to continue to receive the winter fuel payment] for a number of reasons.
I’d say, please don’t speculate on any of this, wait til [the budget] …
You have to wait to a budget for all the decisions within that. But I think, frankly, at the minute what we’re seeing is people causing undue concern, just literally saying anything they know the answer from the government will be. You’ve got a budget in a few weeks time, we don’t comment on what will be [in it].
Lord Hendy, the rail minister, was asked on Monday to promise the benefit would not be restricted to the poorest pensioners.
He played down the likelihood of a change but said given the state of the public finances he could not offer a “concrete commitment for all time”.
Continue reading… The Guardian Read More Jonathan Reynolds says ‘the nature of what we’ve inherited required immediate decisions’, as MPs set to vote on means-testing paymentsIn an interview with the Today programme this morning Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, said he accepted there was a case for reform of the winter fuel allowance. But he suggested the means-testing scheme should be made more generous. He said:I would just ask the government not to rule out the possibility of a higher threshold, or indeed a taper of winter fuel allowance.Because our experience in Greater Manchester is that pensioners are often reluctant to apply for the pension credit [which they will have to, under the government’s plan, to continue to receive the winter fuel payment] for a number of reasons.I’d say, please don’t speculate on any of this, wait til [the budget] …You have to wait to a budget for all the decisions within that. But I think, frankly, at the minute what we’re seeing is people causing undue concern, just literally saying anything they know the answer from the government will be. You’ve got a budget in a few weeks time, we don’t comment on what will be [in it].Lord Hendy, the rail minister, was asked on Monday to promise the benefit would not be restricted to the poorest pensioners.He played down the likelihood of a change but said given the state of the public finances he could not offer a “concrete commitment for all time”. Continue reading…
