‘No talk of cutting fuel payment in manifesto’
PENSIONERS tend to be, as a generalisation, a prudent group.
Pensioners do not, as a rule, receive more than when they were working so manage their finances carefully.
The removal of the winter fuel payment for many pensioners, we are told, is essential to reduce the £1billion black hole in the state’s finances.
The removal of the winter fuel payment without warning means some will struggle to pay their energy bills, particularly if we have a long cold winter and costs rise.
If the Chancellor had said the winter fuel payment would be scrapped from winter 2025/2026, it would enable pensioners to plan better and would be partly offset by the increase to pensions in April 2025 – reportedly to be about £400-a-year.
In the run-up to the election we were told the Chancellor’s plans were ‘fully costed’.
Did anyone spot scrapping the winter fuel payment in the manifesto or is this a knee-jerk reaction?
A pity the plan to scrap the winter fuel allowance was not made public before the election so it could be discussed before any decision was made as this could have avoided the situation where many politicians, unions and those who care for the elderly are questioning the Chancellor’s decision.
The £10 Christmas payment next? To put the £1billion black hole into context, it is reported that UK residents spent £1billion on travel abroad in 2023.
BB, Hunt End
‘Will council have to repay £14m funding?’
MAY I suggest there is not a problem with the council budget, other than it was allocated to projects that the Labour council did not like.
They have used it to put flowers in the town centre, reduce the cost of Dial a Ride and waste it on unnecessary investigations when the leaders have seen the research on the Ipsley Medows cemetery and know there is no alternative.
How long will it be before the county council closes the library on cost grounds? What will the borough council say then? It is not my fault!
What alternative large organisations are there to take up the space in the Town Hall?
How close are they to losing the £14million from the previous government or are they happy to return it to this government to help shore up the national finances?
Michael Chalk
Concerned Resident
‘Get on your bike to join diabetes campaign’
WE ARE inviting people in the Midlands of all cycling abilities to take to the saddle and help raise vital funds for Diabetes UK this October by participating in our brand-new virtual cycling challenge ‘Pedal for Progress’.
Pedal for Progress is an inclusive cycling challenge, encouraging people to take on diabetes, one mile at a time, by riding 250 miles throughout October.
The challenge takes place from October 1-31 and is suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned cyclists. Participants can take on the challenge in their own time and at their own pace – through daily, weekend or weekday rides, cycling inside on a static bike, outside in the fresh air, or a mixture of both.
Join the hundreds of cyclists taking on the challenge to support Diabetes UK’s mission to end the harm caused by diabetes, through funding ground-breaking research, campaigning for better care and supporting those in need.
Cyclists can earn medals, T-shirts and more for their achievements, as they reach fundraising milestones.
With no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship, there is nothing to lose by signing up to take on a new challenge this autumn.
To register for the challenge visit cycle.diabetes.org.uk/ for more information.
Peter Shorrick, Head of Region, Diabetes UK Midlands and East
‘Get rid of stigma over wearing a hearing aid’
HEARING aids can bring life-changing benefits for millions of people with hearing loss. But new research from RNID, the charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, has revealed the depth of stigma that surrounds them in UK society.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of the general public said hearing aids hadn’t been accepted by society in the way that glasses had and 11 per cent said they would even prefer to live with hearing loss than wear hearing aids.
Shockingly, our research found that more than one in three people (34 per cent) would try to hide hearing aids if they needed them.
At RNID, we want to challenge these damaging perceptions.
Hearing aids in the UK – whether accessed through the NHS or bought privately – are all digital.
They contain advanced technology to make listening easier, allowing you to enjoy everyday sounds, keep up with conversations, and even stream phone calls or podcasts directly to your ears through Bluetooth.
Hearing aids benefit people of all ages and backgrounds, and research shows they have a massive positive impact on your health and wellbeing – including potentially reducing the risk of dementia in later life.
It’s essential we leave negative attitudes behind and celebrate hearing aids for the amazing, life-changing devices they are for millions of people in the UK.
Franki Oliver,
Audiology Manager at RNID
