Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Pensioner perks to be scrapped?

One of the issues here might be it's cheaper to pay all pensioners than to be selective. Personally I find it hard to believe in this modern day of technology.

Once a benefit of some kind becomes payable, it always seems to be difficult and politically tricky to stop it.

Just had a look at this...
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/parliamentary-monitor-2018/cost
This is for the top end so the total costs must also have the Regional Government costs (Welsh Assembly etc) added
Plus local councils at County, Borough, Rural, Parish etc
Plus EU costs.
I don’t really begrudge most of the costs but do think the Gold Plated pensions and compensation when not voted in and no longer an MP are ridiculous. Also the apparent lack of control over expenses claims.
Junkets and jollies too.
Also if an MP commits an offence or major cock-up why can’t they be sacked/deselected and trigger a by-election?
The incompetence of some is unbelievable.
Chris Grayling seems to be the current winner. Definitely doesn’t have the Midas Touch. More like the Manure Touch.

Just did a search for MP loss of seat payoff. Not as grossly inflated as I imagined.
Roughly one month salary per year in office plus extra to pay off staff as a rough guide.
Based on the idea of helping them to settle back in to life outside Westminster!
A return to the real world must be tough for them to adjust to!
Ah but they could get aboard the post MP gravy train.....

I don’t think it’s about not supporting young people , however there are better places to find the readies , ie overseas aid!

I cannot see what the link between pensioners benefits and young people’s aid is? - being cynical I suspect the real plan is to take away benefits from pensioners then forget to redistribute the savings.

It is difficult to understand why the Lords hasn’t been kicked into touch, probably because that’s where today’s MP’s visualise they’ll end up!

Bus pass. You apply for it.
Winter fuel allowance. You apply for it.
Free TV licence. You apply for it. Or not.

Good point, but I didn't apply for winter fuel thing, it just arrived in the post.
Nick

I agree with many of the points above but i have to say there are some things which stick in my crawl. I hate assuming that some of the things I am being given discounted are actually benefits.

I go on the interweb and my eyes are invaded with adverts.
I listen to the radio and my ears are invaded with adverts.
I choose most TV stations and my eyes suffer adverts.
I watch programs through on-line portals and my eyes see adverts.

Yet I am forced to pay for a TV licence for the BBC which get less than 3% of my listening and viewing time. They present me with nothing that is not available through every other source despite being the "national" channel. But if I work my whole life and pay my TV licence I get a discount when I no longer get best value from it.

It's not a benefit.

The same could be said of the rotting remains of the UK "public" transport system.

Same here. I didn’t particularly want it, I don’t need it. I like to think I donate it to charity as I give more than that out each year to various charities or good causes.

Bus pass? I keep telling myself I’m too young to sit with all the wrinklies going to Kendal for a day out and besides, I hate buses so never use them unless abroad when it’s different. TV Licence? I’m too young at the moment but as the Beeb pays for a good part of my pension I’m quite happy to accept it🤪.

I like the Senior Railpass idea. Pay for a pass that gives you discounts.

At last! Someone speaking up for the railways!