Dismantling the Budget 10: Pensions

• Grandparents of working age who care for their grandchildren will see that work count towards their entitlement for the basic state pension

I suppose it’s nice they can now claim a state pension for playing nanny, but if they are of working age, will they not require a job anyway in order to survive? If one is working and one isn’t I suppose this evens out and starts to make sense.

However, with the growing number of elderly and comparatively decreasing ratio of those of working age, the state pension is fast becoming unsustainable. Simply put, we have too many dependants taking money out of the pot, and not enough workers putting money in. I wholly expect there to be no state pension when I retire.

• Winter fuel allowance to be maintained at higher level – £250 for over 60s and £400 for over-80s – for another year

What can be said here? The elderly need fuel. Keeping this rate high even though process have dropped means they get more fuel. The rest of us can pay and should be thankful that energy prices have dropped. If you cannot work, starving is one thing, and freezing is another. It’s costing us money, but so are many other factors in marinating those who cannot/do not  work.

• The basic state pension will be increased by at least 2.5%, regardless of inflation

See point one. The state pension is unsustainable. Increasing it in respect to inflation is only going to make this problem worse in the long run.

Part 1: Alcohol, Cigarettes and Fuel

Part 2: Car Scrapping Scheme

Part 3: Tax

Part 4: Economy

Part 5: Jobs and Training

Part 6: Housing

Part 7: Government Savings, Benefits and Personal Savings

Part 8: Environment

Part 9: Help for Businesses