General Rates

[HarryOatcake]

[?] I wonder how long it will possibly take, The Powers That Be.

Concerning the elderly Pensioner who is refusing to pay the full 17% Rates increase levied by her local council.

For some smart bureuacrat to come up with the possible explanation,
you failed to claim an increase in benefit that was due to you
and unfortunately this was not taken into consideration when assesing your rates bill.

Due to this being a political Hot Potato ?.

[Rave]

For some smart bureuacrat to come up with the possible explanation,
you failed to claim an increase in benefit that was due to you
and unfortunately this was not taken into consideration when assesing your rates bill.

Due to this being a political Hot Potato ?.

Um, not long if it's actually the case? I don't think it is though mate, you can't just make up benefit rules on the spot and backdate them, not without people noticing anyway.

Rich :¬)

[HarryOatcake]

Hi', Rave,

Anything is possible these days with a little bit of underhanded manipulation.
There are a lot of people sitting on this one, especially due to the fact that the lady
in question is 83 yrs. old.

Um, not long if it's actually the case? I don't think it is though mate, you can't just make up benefit rules on the spot and backdate them, not without people noticing anyway.

Rich :¬)

[HarryOatcake]

Hi', Rave,

What did I say, the Pensioner in question is apparently having unclaimed
benefits ?, assessed.

All has gone qiuet.

Um, not long if it's actually the case? I don't think it is though mate, you can't just make up benefit rules on the spot and backdate them, not without people noticing anyway.

Rich :¬)

[joshwa]

If the government is providing the pensions - (Eg state pensions) - then how can the government increase council tax without increasing the pension payments in order that the people on the pensions can pay the council tax? It just doesn't make sense - if you're a pensioner and you can't pay the extra council tax, then that's more the governments fault than it is the pensioner.

There's pensioners who can't even afford heating in their own homes at the moment (with some dying due to this recently in london) - and then the government puts up council tax !!! It's just daft - it's like they're deliberatly trying to work against themselves - they advertise in national papers saying "you can claim more money, for heating etc etc" but we want more council tax! IT's pretty rediculous if you ask me!

It prooves the government realises pensioners can't afford heating - let alone council tax - and then they go and put up council tax!! talk about shooting yourself in your foot!

[revol68]

maybe but the fact is that its more a case of shooting poor pensioners in the foot.. the government doesnt exactly give 2 rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbishs about the vulnerable be they pensioners or refugees.

[HarryOatcake]

You know what 2 jags was qouted to have said to the lady Pensioner.
"Pay your dues, and face up to your responsibilitys".
That mans all heart.
A true philanthropist.

maybe but the fact is that its more a case of shooting poor pensioners in the foot.. the government doesnt exactly give 2 rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbishs about the vulnerable be they pensioners or refugees.

[planetgong]

Not that I hate pensioners, but working in Benefits, I have come to discover a few things about them
a) they hate telling you how much money they have
b) of all the different 'groups' of Beneift claimants, elderly people commit the most fraud
c) Benefit rules are now so much in the favour of pensioners it is unbelievable. They hardly ever get prosecuted for fraud, they don't get penalised for not informing of changes of Pensions/Capital, they can claim anytime up until October this year and their Benefit will be backdated to last October etc etc

It's not that I don't like old people, as I said earlier, I just don't see why they think they are entitled to the earth as soon as they turn 65!

[HarryOatcake]

Not that I hate Pensioners?,
You should be ashamed of yourself.

Why don't you think you will be a Pensioner one day, I don't know about PlanetGong, I think you must be on Planet Zog.

You state that Pensioners do not wish to reveal there savings etc, why should they, in the majority of cases they have worked for it and have been sensible enough to have accumulated savings, and then to be penalised like they are by people like yourself, who think thats unfair, who wish to intrude into there most private matters is an invasion of there privacy, and pride.

Lets be honest and try the shoe on the other foot, if the circumstances were reversed would you not try to be a little liberal with the truth, to realise that in some cases going against your principles of, honesty and integrity, that all you end up doing is kicking your own self up the backside, by being penalised.

What about the ranks of the great unwashed, who don't want or intend to have work I suppose you sympathise with them and think they are entitled to
everything above anyone else.

(May I point out that the above remarks do not apply whatsoever to the genuine needy, unemployed, or disabled.)

Its a pity that the likes of your ilk forget what the old aged did for the likes of us all and for this country, and now we are prepared to allow numerous ethnic beggars to enter Britain and be entitled to every benefit going almost, but have'nt paid a penny in to the system but will be entitled to anything that is available.

Its people with your outlook that somehow do not realise that one day they will be a Pensioner themselves, "o dear what a shame how am I going to manage", but don't worry you will be alright with your Goverment Pension index linked etc, and that is possibly why you appear to look down your nose at the elderly.

Why is it that the ones who dole out always appear to have the biggest spoons, just the luck of the drawer I suppose.

For what length of time a Pensioner has left of life they deserve to be cared for, not looked on as a liability, you only come this way once, so they say?.

The trouble with this country is they interfere in the running of other countries and cannot be bothered half the time to look after there own, when they start doling the money out.

Of course I have compassion and sympathy for those more unfortunate than myself and even subscribe by direct debit to UNICEF, but at the end of the day. Charity begins, or should begin at Home.

Hoping this little missive, will give food for thought.

Not that I hate pensioners, but working in Benefits, I have come to discover a few things about them
a) they hate telling you how much money they have
b) of all the different 'groups' of Beneift claimants, elderly people commit the most fraud
c) Benefit rules are now so much in the favour of pensioners it is unbelievable. They hardly ever get prosecuted for fraud, they don't get penalised for not informing of changes of Pensions/Capital, they can claim anytime up until October this year and their Benefit will be backdated to last October etc etc

It's not that I don't like old people, as I said earlier, I just don't see why they think they are entitled to the earth as soon as they turn 65!