The Recession and Pensioners.

[Ivanhoe]

Kaido,

Im 61, ive been in the pensioners corner in one way and another for 20 years, and there are several problems,  "pensioners wont stand together", "they are indifferent to their own cause", "many are happy with their handouts" and this is due to outright Tory neglect during the 80's under Thatcher who started all this off, so they a "grateful" for their handouts under New Labour.

And yes, pensioners, like the rest of the British, are so easily devided.

[radar41]

Hi Radar 41,

I can give you chapter and verse on My situation, I am approaching my third winter without heating or hot water. I cannot afford to have my boiler replaced, nor my washing machine or tumble drier, all of which are defunct.

Unfortunately, there are few pensioners who benefit from low interest rates, most of us have paid off our mortgages years ago, and our savings (if we have any) have been eroded by those same low interest rates.

I have to choose between heating one room of my house, or feeding myself, and I have no alternative to looking for the lowest priced foods, which are usually full of fat and salt, and therefore less than healthy.

I don't spend money on clothes or makeup, I haven't had a holiday in fifteen years, and I often go  barefoot in the summer months to save my shoeleather for the bad weather.

I no longer drive, as I cannot afford the costs.

I am of the opinion that this Government would love most of the pensioners to starve or freeze to death. Think of the savings it could make!

But you can afford a computer and an internet subscription.

[Hells Granny]

Not my computer or connection, unfortunately, Radar41. Just borrowing.

The reason I'm borrowing? I have like Ivanhoe, been on a pension for 20+ years, and over those years, savings get eroded until there isn't anything left, and one is thrown on the mercy of the children one has brought up on Widow's Pension.

If one is lucky, one gets access to a heated house for a few hours, maybe a hot shower, and use of t'Internet!