It's Insulting The Way Pensioners Are Being Grovelled Over.

We do have to vote here in Australia, or cop a fine. Having worked at polling stations a couple of times I can say that the number of ‘spoiled’ votes is actually very low so people do mostly actually lodge a vote. You get checked off on a list when you go to vote and if you are voting out of the area you live in you go to a particular table to collect your voting slips and get crossed off there.

Wyllow3

Would not a tax threshold which will bring families on very very low incomes out of the need to claim benefits on top of their earnings be beneficial.

Yes possibly, so would big companies paying a living wage too!

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s not a scam!

I was looked after perfectly well during covid, weren’t you?

Raising the personal allowance for everyone would be hugely expensive, and of course it would benefit very high earners too. Then it would be that thing politicians love to accuse one another of, an unfunded promise.

Well I was still working and front line, so no not really, but I was thinking more about those in care homes or hospitals.

Scam is completely the wrong word really, what I meant was maybe “false promise” (like most of the parties make to be fair, at GE time)

Perhaps they should have looked after us better during Covid

We were looked after in the most expensive way that could be during Covid. The whole b……y country was locked down to look after us!

I don’t believe any of it. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Last minute promises from a government so far down the polls it really doesn’t matter what they promising in the hope of engaging the gullible.

AGAA4

Quite a few have already fallen for the false promises. I also would prefer the tax income threshold to be raised for everyone.
I have no faith in either Conservative or Labour.

Your comment sums up exactly how I feel.

Germanshepherdsmum

We have had so many posters complaining that the tax threshold hasn’t been raised and as a consequence they are paying tax on their pension income. Now that they will receive an allowance to ensure that they don’t pay tax on their SP, they complain and say they are being insulted and grovelled over. You couldn’t make it up.

No, couldn't possibly make this round of complaints up.

Whitewavemark2

They need our votes - I have no doubt some elderly can be bribed - of course it won’t happen just as the 40 hospitals didn’t happen, levelling up didn’t happen, Rwanda didn’t happen, lower immigration didn’t happen, lower NHS waiting lists didn’t happen, and on and on.

Need it or not, they won’t be getting my vote, because none of these things will happen under Labour either.

Raising the tax threshold for all would certainly help those who are working and not claiming benefits

No, because their entitlement to benefits depends on individual circumstances.

Quite a few have already fallen for the false promises. I also would prefer the tax income threshold to be raised for everyone.
I have no faith in either Conservative or Labour.

Would not a tax threshold which will bring families on very very low incomes out of the need to claim benefits on top of their earnings be beneficial.

Why don’t people understand the cost of raising the personal allowance for everyone?

I’m neither delighted or insulted by this proposal. I just feel it would be fairer all round if any change to the personal allowance applied to everyone.

We already have plenty of youngsters who’d be voting for the implementation of Logan’s Run at 60.

Any idea what that would cost? No, thought not.

The tax threshold should be raised for everyone.I struggled financially much more when I was employed than I do now. I no longer have a mortgage to pay,no expenses getting to work and free public transport when I want to go out.

It’s not a scam!

I was looked after perfectly well during covid, weren’t you?

Raising the personal allowance for everyone would be hugely expensive, and of course it would benefit very high earners too. Then it would be that thing politicians love to accuse one another of, an unfunded promise.

The whole system needs reform. People will fall for the hokum of paying less income tax. The tories know that the elderly won't be claiming as long as their predecessors because of the failing NHS.

Germanshepherdsmum

So what if it’s only just been announced? It’s been announced and it’s good news.

But it’s a scam and just out there because many many conservatives rely on the over 60 vote. Perhaps they should have looked after us better during Covid!

Raise the personal allowance for all, then we and low earners all benefit.

Oreo

mae13
Your comments chime with a lot of what I’m reading including on this forum.So many are turned off politics, don’t know who to vote for, are politically homeless.Much more than usual.
Even tho Labour is way ahead in the polls it’s almost anyones guess what will actually happen on the day.

Sadly, I agree

Sparklefizz

I think it should be law that everyone eligible has to vote so that at least a true picture of the country’s wishes is arrived at.
I believe this is the law in Australia?? Perhaps someone in Aus can correct me?

Voting in a FPTP election doesn't reflect a true picture as people often vote tactically (as l am highly likely to do this time as it's the only way my vote has any weight).
I don't think charging fining people who don't want to vote is democratic.

So what if it’s only just been announced? It’s been announced and it’s good news.

No, its exactly what I expected.

Sparklefizz

I think it should be law that everyone eligible has to vote so that at least a true picture of the country’s wishes is arrived at.
I believe this is the law in Australia?? Perhaps someone in Aus can correct me?

Yes, it’s compulsory to vote in Australia.

Wyllow3

I just feel that announcing it now is clearly an "election gambit". GSM - if its key policy it could have been announced in the budget

I suspect we are in for a carefully calculated "announcement" every 4 to 5 days now designed to appeal to traditional conservative voters and hold the headlines.

Getting worried are you?