“Now You Don’t”

Posted on January 24, 2013 by john graham

This blog follows on from the previous post “Now You See It”.

I was at the AGE UK Conference in 2011 when the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions – Mr Ian Duncan-Smith – made his speech about the £140 universal state pension.  (See “THE £140 PENSION ILLUSION” in the TAG CLOUD).

It is a massive rise from the then current £107.45 a week state pension.   It was surprising there wasn’t a fanfare of trumpeters from the Queen’s Royal Regiment for such a momentous announcement.   There were headlines in the press but they only lasted for a day.   It was also astonishing that the overwhelming pensioner audience didn’t stand on the chairs and cheer, but of course they have lots of experience of politicians’ promises.

Now 1 1/2 years later, unsurprisingly, nothing has happened nor is it likely to happen before the next election.   Nonetheless, it is an idea that is being dusted off for a re-run in the half-term review.   The good news is that it still has eye-catching and vote-catching appeal.

The bad news is it cannot be afforded in these austere times.

So how is this trick to be performed ?

  • Firstly, it has already been announced it will not take effect until 2015 (maybe that may have to be 2016 or 2017 or …………).
  • Secondly, the Prime Minister’s promise to protect universal allowances for pensioners was only for the current parliament, so expect that to go.
  • Thirdly, pension age will have to rise more rapidly than previously forecast to limit the cost of the universal state pension in future years.   Don’t be surprised if 70 doesn’t become the new retirement age by 2020.

Now you Don't (3)

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“Now You See It”

Posted on January 22, 2013 by john graham

If I were the Prime Minister half way through my first term in office, I would be beginning to think about how I could be re-elected for a second term.   I would want something that would appeal to a large number of voters.   Something spectacular that would catch their attention!

The elderly are a larger group of people who vote more than others.   There again, there have been lots of bad news in the last two years about poor care of older people in the NHS that won’t help.

Then I would remember that my nice Secretary of State for Works and Pensions – Mr Ian Duncan-Smith talked about a magical £140 state pension at the AGE UK Conference in 2011.   Of course nothing happened because of these tough economic times.  As well as this, with retirement age still so low, it would cost a fortune in the future years.     Oh! and also because I made a promise before the election in a TV debate, that I would not take away the universal benefits older people receive, like winter fuel allowances, free TV licenses and free bus passes.

Now You See It (4)

There again, I did say only until the next election.

So half way through my first term, which was mainly full of bad economic news, I am beginning to worry that I may not get re-elected.    Let’s dust of that £140 pension idea and start all over again.

(See my earlier blogs “THE £140 PENSION ILLUSION” in the TAG CLOUD).

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“Pension Cuts on the Way”

Posted on January 19, 2013 by john graham

Either I must be psychic, which I doubt, or the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions – Mr Ian Duncan-Smith and just about the whole of the Conservative Party, and the Editor of The Times, must be reading my GrumbleSmiles blog.   None of this can be true !

So it must be just a remarkable coincidence that only hours after I wrote two blogs on the £140 Pension (click on “NOW YOU SEE IT” and “NOW YOU DON’T” or find “A WEALTH LADDER” in TAG CLOUD).   There before your very eyes on the front page of The Times is a headline “PENSIONERS BENEFIT CUT”.

The softening up process has just begun.   We are being sounded out about cuts to pensioners’ allowances.

The £10 Christmas bonus – a bribe by Gordon Brown many years ago when £10 meant something.   Easy to give but harder to take away than Chicken Chow Mein.   All pensioners get it in their state pension, but it is certain to be the first disappearing trick.

  • Winter Fuel Allowances

This costs £2.2 billion a year and is worth between £100 and £300 to pensioner households, dependant on age and the number of pensioners in the house.   Six million pensioners live in fuel poverty and with energy costs rising rapidly, this is a very important benefit to the 1.7 million living below the poverty line.

It is paid with the universal pension so it has a high take up, which is why it is tantalisingly important to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to claw back.

  • The Cold Weather Payments

Both Winter Fuel Allowances and Cold Weather Payments are almost certain to go in a snow flurry of talk about global warming.   They are a Godsend to pensioners living in fuel poverty, but will hardly be missed by wealthier pensioners or those living in Spain who also get them.   They are harder to claw back, because means testing more people would be expensive so they are most likely to go altogether and be used to pay toward a higher universal pension.

  • Free Bus Pass

No loss to wealthier pensioners who probably do not use buses anyway, but a real loss of opportunity to the poorest which will significantly increase social isolation.

  • Free T V Licences

Again makes no sense to give these to wealthier pensioners but an extremely emotive issue to withdraw.    Possibly could be clawed back in future and lost in the muddle of free internet access to T V Programmes.

Ironically the recent argument about removing child benefit from higher paid parents paves the way for the same argument to be deployed in relation to their being no justification for wealthier pensioners receiving welfare payments beyond the universal state pension.   The problem for the Government is not whether to do it, it is just about when and how.

The how is answered by introducing the magic of £140 universal pension (soon to be £155).  Except, soon means no earlier than 2015 and it may well not apply to existing pensioners, only people who reach retirement age after 2015.

Just to add fog and confusion to the arguement, different figures are used by a variety of politicians in the same party.   The new magic pension is £140 or £155 or £160 and will be paid any time from 2015 to 2016 t0 2017.

The cuts are definitely coming but will be offset by a higher basic pension.   The power of the grey vote may just allow existing pensioners to escape the cuts, but it will be a close call.  None the less they certainly will not likely be any better off.

                          There’s the £140 Pension Illusion !

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY, Pensions | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“A Health Ladder ” Second Step

Posted on January 17, 2013 by john graham

(For earlier blogs on this subject, click in the TAG CLOUD on “Befuddled”)

I stopped because my mind was temporarily blocked.    ” Befuddled” by too many thoughts.    So I did an easy Sudoku.    Moved my brain to the other side and stepped into a familiar routine.    A simple logical set of processes with its own snakes and ladders,  false steps  and right steps,   but steady progress   and successful one by one steps paid off.     The puzzle was quickly completed.

Stop, take a deep breath, think again.  In retirement one thing that is free and abundent is that  —–   You have more time

Then I realised I had taken the first step on the health ladder.    Not the step I had planned but an all important first step.

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“A Health Ladder” First Step

Posted on January 15, 2013 by john graham

The focus of institutional health care is ill-health.    Going to the doctor is not a trip in the park.    It is not a pleasant day out; because you don’t know what lies ahead.

Let’s turn all that on its head and take a step on the health ladder.    This is not “medical” advice, it is about well-being.    Your own well-being.    What makes you feel better?

  • Small steps
  • A breath of fresh air

This is rambling writing  🙂     go to the garden gate,  meet someone,  greet someone.

Because I am looking for the first step for me.    It will be different for you.

Let’s take stock.

How healthy am I ?    I can walk and I can talk.    I could do with losing weight and being a bit fitter.    My New Year’s Resolutions last year, the year before and several years before didn’t work.    So let’s make a gentler plan.

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Posted in HEALTH | Tagged | 2 Comments

Future of Sheltered Housing

Posted on January 13, 2013 by john graham

The 1960’s, 70’s and 8o’s saw the birth and big expansion of sheltered housing initially led by Local Authorities and Housing Associations.    Quickly followed by McCarthy and Stone and others in the private sector.    It was seen as a response to the increasing number of older people who needed a limited degree of support mainly in the absence of close family or friends.    The support was usually in the form of an on-site warden or “good neighbour”.   This form of housing has stood the test of time and provides a good option for many elderly people to this day.

However, expectations have risen in the last 50 years, particularly in relation to space standards and accessibility for disabled people.    Bedsits which may have been acceptable  in the 1960’s are now difficult-to-let.    Modifications to overcome these issues are expensive and not always possible.

At the very time when more retirement housing is required, Local Authorities are contemplating closure of some of their schemes.    Alternatively they are considering lowering the age limit for entry, which could well lead to some real “bad neighbour ” problems.

The regional press regularly carry stories of residents worrying about the possible “reconfiguration” of their schemes.   Just this week there are reports of both Rugby in Warwickshire and several schemes in Suffolk being considered for “de-sheltering”.      This is no doubt only the start of a much bigger transformation to come.

However closure of housing that was only built 50 or 60 years ago, should be the last resort.   There is no question that the concept of sheltered housing needs to be  brought up to date with the use of more flexible support services and improved accommodation, but it still remains a good option for independent living.   It allows people to down-size from family homes and for home owners to release some equity for their retirement.

Independent living still remains the first preference for most elderly people and we should try to accommodate that.

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments

“Stepping on a Retirement Snake”

Posted on January 10, 2013 by john graham

(For earlier blogs on this subject, click in the TAG CLOUD on “BEFUDDLED”)

  • Stepping on a snake is easy.
  • It requires no courage.
  • Sometimes it is just happenstance.
  • Mainly, the snakes are the excuses in your mind,
  • That put off things until tomorrow,
  • And then the day after.
  • Until a molehill becomes a mountain.
  • Snakes are the gradual putting on of weight as comfort eating becomes a habit.
  • Accumulating things until the excess becomes clutter.
  • Putting off that phone call to a friend until it is too long ago to call.
  • There are thousands more excuses.
  • Each of our own making.
  • Snakes can become a habit.
  • Habits can be broken, not by grand gesture New Year resolutions.
  • By reversing the direction in small steps and then another and another.
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“Stepping on a Retirement Ladder”

Posted on January 8, 2013 by john graham

(For earlier blogs on this subject, click in the TAG CLOUD on “BEFUDDLED”)

  • Finding ladders is the first step to a Happier, Healthier Retirement.
  • Feeling safe about the ladder is the next.
  • Getting on the first rung is easy  —- but we don’t.
  • A coach would be nice to build confidence.
  • Seeing others go first helps.
  • Being encouraged along the way helps.
  • That’s why loneliness and isolation is a barrier to ladder stepping.
  • It is why we join clubs for mutual encouragement and support.
  • A social dimention that bonds confidence and restores values.
  • So don’t just look for ladders      —–      look for help.
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“Mixed Bag”

Posted on January 6, 2013 by john graham

50 is  magic number at the Royal Mail:-

  • 50 is the number of bits of junk mail sent to all 29 million addresses in Britain every year.
  • That represents 50% of all the 54 million items of daily post.
  • 50 pence is now the cost of a second class stamp!

It is hard to know whether to grumble about the junk mail or smile about the ridiculous situation the postal service is now in.

Delivering millions of unwanted letters, which go indirectly from forest to fireplace.

There again, without all the junk mail, we would probably find our second class postage stamps would probably cost twice, thrice or even 50 times as much.

P.s     The £1.1 million a year salary of Ms Moya Greene, Chief Executive of the Royal Mail,  is what qualifies her to reassure us that 5o pence for a second glass stamp is a bargain.   I guess the elderly won’t be sending out quite so many Christmas cards this year, at this new cheap rate !

P.p.s     In a quiet and almost unpublicised move, the Government, on our behalf, has taken on responsibility for the Royal Mail Pension fund.   Sounds like a great deal – to gain £28.5 billion of assets taxpayers took on £37.6 billion of liabilities.

In a time of such austerity it is hard to see how this makes much financial sense – unless – you have a grand plan to sell off the postal service.

P.p.p.s     You can, in theory, reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by registering with the mailing preference service.   Let’s hope it is more effective than the telephone preference service.

(For earlier blogs on this subject, click in the TAG CLOUD on “GRUMBLESMILES POST”)

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“An Unholy Trinity”

Posted on January 1, 2013 by john graham

The Trinity is a sacred alliance that stands up for good over evil.   The end of a life should be the celebration of all that has been good in a person’s lifetime.   There are positive things to draw out of every person given birth on this earth.   Lost in the past sometimes, but worthy of thanks nonetheless.   That is why life is sacred – a gift given by God only to be taken away by God.

FIRSTLY, I have regularly been blogging since 2010 about assisted dying (see “The Slippery Slope” in the TAG CLOUD).    A euphemism for euthanasia.  A well argued case by Debbie Purdy reignited the debate (see “Lucy Died Today” dated 22 March 2010 in the Archive).    Debbie’s arguments were based on the practical reality of chronic illness and the wisdom of planning ahead.   I have always been worried that although the merits of individual cases have been extremely well argued, turning them into precedents leads us on to a perilous slippery slope.

SECONDLY, the more recent  and disturbing headlines have been about the increasing promotion and use of a care planning tool – called the “Liverpool Care Pathway”.   This well intended approach was designed for use as a pain management process in a highly controlled and caring hospice environment for those with a diagnosed terminal illness.  Each word of this specification is critically important and was not meant to be loosely or casually interpreted.   Neither should it be a  basis for hasty decisions which exclude relatives.

THIRDLY, in the last two years the boundaries of these two clearly thought out positions have been blurred.   It’s the extrapolation into the wider domain of the hard-pressed, cash-strapped, bed-blocked, express delivery NHS that takes on a much more dangerous complexion.

I have written throughout my GrumbleSmiles blog about a host of reports over the last two years referring to care of the elderly and the NHS (click on “Neglect Shames Britain” in the TAG CLOUD).   Dehydration and malnutrition in the NHS have become recurrent features of care of older people in these reports.   There is no grand plan here.   Nobody took a clear decision and nobody now takes responsibility.   “Nil by mouth” has become the “Black Death” mark at the bottom of the hospital bed.   The unwritten, unspoken sign that an elderly burden on society may be too great a cross to bear.

It’s frightening and almost unthinkable to imagine that we may have inadvertently developed a new policy for almost two-thirds of the people who enter our hospitals.

A carefully planned approach to later life and a caring, compassionate end to life has emerged as an ugly monster of neglect.

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