I don't know about you but the state of the countries finances are so dire that I'm feeling very uncomfortable right now. I saw the statement below and felt cross in the extreme.....
DWP minister Torsten Bell responded: "The previous Government made the decision to freeze the income tax Personal Allowance at its current level of £12,570 until April 2028."
He added: "At our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds."
Bell highlighted that over 80 per cent of pensioners were already subject to income tax in the 2022/2023 tax year.
He stated: "This Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement."
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I highlighted the final statement in bold because it beggars belief! How can it be true when they, themselves, confirm that over 80% of pensioners already pay tax! And more will be dragged into the net over the next 3 years including me with my meagre Old State Pension.
We do NOT feel secure and there is NO dignity in old age if you struggle to feed, clothe and keep yourself warm in Winter, never mind having any kind of life.
Not only us oldies are worried. Are we letting our young people down too? My Grandson is an apprentice welder. At 17 years old he earns a paltry £6 odd per hour for doing a man's job. He works more than 40 hrs a week and pays tax. He has day release at college one day a week and sometimes his boss makes him work instead. Personally, I think it's diabolical. We are letting him down by not protecting him at work. How many other young people are in a similar position?
I don't like making political posts but I'm fuming 😟😡
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Thank you for letting me get this off my chest 😔
Stay safe and well wherever you happen to be,
Angie 💗
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I'm sorry to hear that things are so dire over there. I don't think that things are any better over here, especially now.
ReplyDeleteI really do feel for you in the US right now, Bless :(
DeleteSometimes a rant is needed
ReplyDeleteIt helped!
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ReplyDelete"Committed to supporting pensioners "! - Ha! I don't think so.
Everyone thinking of being an MP should be made to live on a low fixed income for a year before they could enter parliament - just to see how they'd manage.
Disgusting how some apprentices are being taken advantage off - it's practically Victorian. Your grandson should be getting at least £7.55 per hour.
Oh how I agree with the first part of your comment, Sue, they would soon see how hard it can be!
DeleteGS's employer is awful. He treats all the men like dirt and his first comment to them after 6th April was " and dont f***ing dare ask for a pay rise now" I can't wait for grandson to find a better job.
I know just how you feel. We've already been taxed once on this money as we earned it and now we are being taxed again on our pensions. I feel us OAP's are being thrown to the wolves. Xx
ReplyDeleteWe definitely are Gill. This government can't wait 'til we pop our clogs, they intend to help us on the way....x
DeleteI'm not quite old enough for the state pension yet, but have elderly parents who claim it plus my dad has a small private pension. They own their bungalow and aren't entitled to any benefits. They're just above the pension credit mark for the WFA. My mum's almost blind, my dad does most of the day to day things and isn't in the best of health, yet they can't get attendance allowance, nor carers. They also have to pay full council tax, which is over £2500 a year, Band D. If they'd never worked or never purchased their bungalow years ago, they'd probably be better off now!
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law was refused help... she was 93, had dementia and had carers going in 4 times per day. Someone told my brother in law to ask Help the Aged for assistance with the forms and she was then awarded it as they know exactly what needs to be put on them. Unfortunately the award came through the week that she died so she never benefited from it. Hope you're OK at the moment with all your caring responsibilities.
DeleteHello Scarlet, my late MIL was granted Attendance Allowance just 3 weeks before she died. The Macmillan nurses arranged it for her due to her terminal illness - she should've been getting it for 2 years!! Like you, my "sandwich" life is sometimes really awful, but we carry on!!
DeleteOh Mrs LH and Scarlet, that is awful. The most vulnerable are just not getting the help they need are they. It's left to families to help as best they can. We've been through all that with my late Mother and then Father-in-Law. It made their final years unbearably sad.
DeleteMy heart goes out to both of you xx
My mum's in the nice position of receiving a state pension many hundreds of pounds per month more than mine will be when I finally get it( 7 more years to wait). I'm not entirely sure why that is, but I was gobsmacked when I saw how much she gets. She barely worked once she was married, so I can only assume her pension may be based on my dad's contributions ( he died aged 55 so never got to claim his pension).
ReplyDeleteI started work aged 16 in 1981 on a 'Youth Opportunities Programme', and received way less than half the amount my colleagues who had a permanent contract did. It did lead to a permanent contract though, at a time of huge unemployment, and it was the best employer I ever worked for. I do remember feeling it was unfair when I first started there, but it was a foot in the door and it paid off.
I'm so pleased to hear that your job eventually turned out well, Scarlet. I can't wait for grandson to find a better job. This boss is one of the worst I have ever come across.
DeletePrices keep going up, nothing goes down. I worry about the younger people also. Hubby and I are really very lucky as we have savings, but with the stock market going up and down we wonder how long our investments will be okay.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It seems that everyone is living on a knife edge at the moment. Once you start spending savings it's a time to worry.
DeleteI think I have the same views as you so fume and rant away, this Government is not old people friendly or anyone, I thought they were the party for the people??
ReplyDeleteThey are supposed to be! I get the feeling that they really have no idea what they are doing.....just winging it at the expense of everyone! I certainly didn't vote them in!
DeleteTotally agree with your rant-could have written it myself! Catriona
ReplyDeleteThank you ;0)
DeleteSadly, it's the same here in Oz. We have a Steel Fabrication business and we took on an apprentice over a year ago. His rate of pay in his first year was $18 per hour and now he is in his second year he is paid $25 per hour for a 38 hr week, holidays, sick pay and we also have to pay 11% of his wage into his superannuation fund. I really feel for your nephew and I do hope he finds another job with a great boss. We have had this business 27 years today and our workers have been with us for years. Sorry for the long post Angie. I might add that our boss is amazing (my hubby) 🌞
ReplyDeleteYour company sounds amazing and very fair to work for. My Grandson's boss thinks it's acceptable to swear at his apprentices on a daily basis (using the 'f' word) which I think is appalling. It knocks their confidence tremendously. Well done your hubby for treating your apprentices like human beings!
DeleteI'm really feel for your grandson, no one should have to work under those conditions and I truly hope he can find another job with a much better employer🙏🤞Linda
DeleteYour rant is absolutely right and you have voiced the anger of so many who feel forgotten, ignored and used. I'm sorry about your GS. I hope he is able to find a better employer soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beverley, I really hope he can find a better job later this year. His first year of apprenticeship will be over in July so there is hope....
DeleteThis government is failing so many people of all ages yet they deny it. There are a lot of angry UK citizens out there :0/