Rayner Will Not Rule Out Abolishing Council Tax Single Occupier Discount

In 2017 Labour warned the WFA cut, proposed by Tories, but abandoned, could cause 4000 deaths. Seven years later, that would possibly be increased. Hope those who say pensioners should bear the brunt of these cuts,because they voted Tory, hang their heads in shame.

In 2017 Labour warned the WFA cuts could cause 4000 deaths

In 2023 Starmer challenged Sunak about the wrongness of the same issue.

Once in power, Starmer is very gung ho about any potential deaths because of withdrawing WFA.

He can blame the previous government for whatever he likes. I blame them for a lot myself, but saying something is a bad idea, until he wants to do it reflects badly on him.
The support and endless excuses he gets for doing something he said was a bad idea under the Tories but suits him to do now says a lot about his supporters too.

David49 I worked shifts - early, late and night. My DH worked same style of shifts as well as being expected to work until issues resolved. Catering support was provided during day time shifts but had to be paid for with no contribution from employers. Outwith the normal daytime hours we had to take our own meals with us.

4allweknow

David49 I worked shifts - early, late and night. My DH worked same style of shifts as well as being expected to work until issues resolved. Catering support was provided during day time shifts but had to be paid for with no contribution from employers. Outwith the normal daytime hours we had to take our own meals with us.

I suppose we could tell MPs to bring their own sandwiches and meet in the canteen, personally I think that’s going a bit too far, others may disagree.

Doodledog

Why do you think that pensioners should be exempt from the crippling costs that the last government has landed us with? Statistics suggest that pensioners voted them in,

Oh it’s every government that does the pot in, no money from the last labour government, & so it goes on

In 2017 Labour warned the WFA cut, proposed by Tories, but abandoned, could cause 4000 deaths. Seven years later, that would possibly be increased. Hope those who say pensioners should bear the brunt of these cuts, because they voted Tory, hang their heads in shame.
Who is saying that? People are saying that there is no reason why all pensioners should get money towards fuel when people in other age groups on less money do not. I haven't heard or read anyone saying that pensioners should bear the brunt of anything, or that this should happen because many of them voted Tory. I feel more strongly each day that people who misrepresent things in this way should be the ones who hang their heads in shame.

IMO the cut off should have come at a lot higher than the amount at which pension credit can be claimed, but nobody should be paid hundreds of pounds just for being over 66, when there are poorer people of all ages. I would prefer there to be cuts to the profits of privatised energy companies so bills are lower, but until then, everyone (of any age) on less than say, £30k could be given a subsidy. Of course, that would also result in a situation where some would lose out - means-testing always does that - but I don't want to see children going cold whilst better-off pensioners get money for nothing.

An interesting report on pensioner incomes from the IFS.
ifs.org.uk/publications/how-have-pensioner-incomes-and-poverty-changed-recent-years

A a single mum, with two SEN children in a three bedroomed house ( third bedroom tiny), she gets the single person discount for council tax. It won’t just affect single pensioners.

Luckily, a lot are fabulous at budgeting and cooking from scratch.

MissAdventure

Luckily, a lot are fabulous at budgeting and cooking from scratch.

Although bunging a ready meal in the microwave does use less energy.

It does indeed.

Although bunging a ready meal in the microwave does use less energy.
And that’s what I’m going to do now 😂

crazyH

^Although bunging a ready meal in the microwave does use less energy.^
And that’s what I’m going to do now 😂

Fish - 8 minutes with my quick parsley sauce

Leftover mashed potatoes
Frozen peas
Both in the microwave. If I can be bothered to move.

That's cooking from scratch

Instead of burdening single home owners who often have fewer financial resources with increased CT, why not increase it for those with 3+adults living in the home?

That sounds very sensible.

Something had to give. The government decided the WFA should be part of it. I’d prefer to see a larger basic pension so people with private/work pensions and savings pay more tax. Those entirely dependent on a state pension should be able to manage without applying for pension credit etc. There is no escaping the fact that many pensioners do not need the WFA.

I also fail to understand why pensioners are singled out for WFA when others who also need to keep warm are left to get on with it. (disabilities/serious health problems for example)

Knew all this would happen if Labour got in!😡He's a wolf in sheeps clothing! He'll go for the easy targets pensioners,1 person household. Time they went after all those who don't pay and reciver monies owed! Same with Brexit! Big mistake!! Now Labour..Big mistake!

Mojack26 - knew what would happen? That the government would face huge problems trying to rebuild our country after disastrous governments

Bloomin well said!

It isn't just pensioners, though.

GrannyGravy13

If Labour removes the single person Council Tax discount it is not just pensioners who will suffer.

It will also be penalising younger widows/widowers, divorced, and those that are single!

In my opinion Labour are perpetuating and increasing the gap between the have and have nots!

My conscience is clear, I didn’t vote for them

Nor did I, and after the first weeks of Labour in power, they have ensured I never will!

eazybee

Part of the crippling costs this government says it is facing is the unwarranted 10 billion payout to train drivers and junior doctors. Pensioners cannot paralyse the country by industrial action so pose no threat. The pension increase of £400 next year will put many pensioners over their personal allowance thus making many more liable for tax.

It's about £8 ish a week from next April. That's round about £32 every 4 weeks.
What will go up in price as usual? Council Tax, water rates, etc.
I can't see that groceries or anything else will go down by then. We'll probably end up worse off.

Same, I never voted for labour, they are a disgrace. I will never vote for them and neither will my younger relatives, who care about the elderly

I voted to get the Tories out and that was the right thing to do given their incompetence and deliberate recklessness in budgeting a trap for an incoming Labour government. We are all going to pay a heavy price for 14 years of the nasty Party and I won't be voting for them next time.

grandaisy

Instead of burdening single home owners who often have fewer financial resources with increased CT, why not increase it for those with 3+adults living in the home?

That was tried years ago by Mrs Thatcher, I remember the ensuing riots and protests that brought about its demise!

karmalady

Same, I never voted for labour, they are a disgrace. I will never vote for them and neither will my younger relatives, who care about the elderly

They are certainly showing their true colours saving £1.4 billion off the back of pensioners but comfortably spending £12 billion on climate change aid for other countries (one of which has a space program amongst other riches)

Is this extra amount on top of the overseas budget?