Why am l not surprised when listening to Radio 4's 'Money Box' that half a million pensioners that live abroad in countries and the commonwealth countries will not be getting an increase to their pensions. Their pensions had been frozen at the payment they received when they first moved abroad. In contrast, some pensioners will receive the full amount including this years increase if they reside in certain countries such as the United States.
So what is the difference ?
According to the report on the programme the policy not to pay the increases to some was made 70 years ago. When asked by the reporter why they have not changed it, they replied, 'That has been the way it has always been'.
Can that be right? I find that quite disturbing that the comment insinuates no one has thought to change the policy over 70 years.
What else have they not changed ?
How forward thinking are we as a country if we are still relying on 70 year old policies from the DWP?
Who should be accountable for this ?
Britain appears to be in a time warp when it comes to the DWP and their policies.
Someone may need to remind them this is not the 1950's.
If this is how they treat people and by not updating their their policies with efficiency, my question is, what is society paying them to actually do every day? Where has all the money gone ? Has it ever been ring fenced ?
Please follow the link and see if you think it is fair.
Money Box - Cost of living squeeze for benefits and state pension - BBC Sounds (17:18 -23:54)
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Hi Hede,
You are right it is like living in the 1950s. I find it deplorable what this government are doing, the way they are treating the disabled, the sick, the children, the poor and the penioners, in fact I think it is downright evil!
I can only imagine the suffering that some pensioners are going through! Not being able to use their heating, and barely able to afford the food prices! It is disgusting while some of these rich companies like BP pay very little or no taves and even many super rich people get a fuel allowance! even if they are millionaires!
I sometimes think there is a cull going on! that they, this government, want us dead, all the disabled, the poor, the unemployed and the elderly. It is absolutely disgraceful!
Best wishes I am pleased you high lighted the plight of these poor pensioners caught in this poverty trap.