Punishing those who have been prudent

ON THE formation of coalition Govt. in 2010, the-then Prime Minister ( for multitudinous reasons, of course ) introduced “Pension Triple Lock “aimed ostensibly at bringing pensioner’s meagre incomes to such a level, over a number of years, as to make life reasonably comfortable in their sun-set phase .

This pensioner bashing brigade ought to be put to their utter shame by the following facts.

A run-of-the-mill pensioner couple have seen its state pension ( under the aforementioned triple lock )| being enhanced by around £280.00 for the financial year 2017-2018 whereas their out-goings for the same period has increased on account of the following :

1. Council Tax = 60.00 ( total for the year being £1430.00 or thereabouts ) 2. Energy bills = £300.00 . 3. Car insurance £150.00 or more .

4. Projected loss of fuel allowance payment = £300.

And when charges for other utilities are taken into account , the final figure is not far short of £800. Add to that almost zero interest rates on savings - the cup of misery get to the brim. Enough said !

As far as social care/fuel allowance , the concept of provision thereof via means-test is concerned.

Means testing moderately comfortable pensioners with savings is tantamount to being punitive to those who conducted themselves with discretion and believed being prudent during their productive phase of their lives in order to reward those ( who in most cases) had identical opportunities but in their nonchalance, choose to be extravagant and dance through the haze of their slumberous sojourn through life .

M.L. Sharma Atherstone Road, Loughborough