The whole winter fuel row is so depressing. Tories who stood on a manifesto to do the same in 2017 condemning it despite secretly agreeing. Labour making stupid arguments about bankruptcy (when there are much better arguments for the policy available.)
I’m retired. Ill health. Small pension so never applied to me even though I’m home all winter. Context matters
WRT the "bankruptcy" thing, IIRC it was Lucy Powell showing off her ignorance of economics. People like her shouldn't be allowed to make public pronouncements on government finances.
The household finances fallacy is really depressing and a throw back to Cameron/Osborne austerity. Treat us like grown ups.
It’s a collision of the stupid and performative elements of UK politics. Labour LARP’ing as New Labour and wanting to look tough. The Tories and media being hypocrites. HMT always wanting to means test even though it’s economically & politically dumb. And full pension credit uptake costs more…
I find the whole "stupid arguments" thing the most depressing element. One of the changes we most wanted/needed after the last 14 years was more evidence-based policy, supported by grounded and honest communication. Not looking good across a range of policy areas up to now.
WFA = £200-300/year. Some pensioners need it, many don't even notice it. So: give it to those who need it but not to those who don't. Is it really THAT difficult to work out who does and who doesn't (HMRC records?). And if in doubt for individual cases, give it anyway to avoid risk of hardship.
Reeves should have announced it as a reform of a welfare payment to be *fairer*, rather than cutting it to plug the £22b.. Hope their communication team learn from this.
What’s missing is the support means those who need it can get it, it’s redistribution which is what Labour is meant to be about…
I wrote to my local mp saying exactly this, right policy very, very badly communicated (I also mentioned Comms on the Ofsted decision too)I wrote to my local mp saying exactly this, right policy very, very badly communicated (I also mentioned Comms on the Ofsted decision too)
Also, no thinking about implementation to avoid making cliff edge/ridiculous marginal tax rates we have in some circumstances worse.