What would YOU do about the means test ?

[Papaumau]

It has already been correctly suggested by Ivanhoe that the means test as it exists is a VERY expensive way to try to ensure that any people who get extra from benefits or pensions or tax credits etc' only get it when they are due it. This is supposed to ensure that government money does not go to the already-rich.

I can see what they are trying to get at here and I can also see what Ivanhoe is trying to get at too.

What I suggest is that the government could save a fortune by really simplifying the means test so that it is reduced, from a book-sized tome to a single page questionnaire. In this page they could ask one simple question: Do you have any other income that is over £30,000 a year ?

If the anwer is NO and it is truthful then the person should be automatically available for the enhanced citizen's pension. If the answer is YES then the person would only qualify for a very basic state citizen's pension.

Here are a couple of discussions on this proposal - which has already been suggested by the Liberal Democrats in their manifesto.

http://www.southwark.tv/spag/spagCitizensPension.asp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2004/dec/06/business.pensions

Well, what do you think about these ideas ?

[Ivanhoe]

Papaumau, I say abolish the excessivelly costly means test system for pensioners, and provide a decent universial state pension for all UK pensioners be they rich or poor, because even richer pensioners have spent a working life paying into the system.

I dont believe all this bollony about helping the poor, this is nowt short of charity and pensioners should not be made charity cases.

[John]

With the high level of computerised record keeping and in short lifetime snooping. Taken to new heights by the departing circus (Yes Brown and his Clowns are on the way out).

There is no need for many questions when it comes to means testing.

In fact they could not only tell you what you haven't got, they could fill in the form.

[Ivanhoe]

With the high level of computerised record keeping and in short lifetime snooping. Taken to new heights by the departing circus (Yes Brown and his Clowns are on the way out).

There is no need for many questions when it comes to means testing.

In fact they could not only tell you what you haven't got, they could fill in the form.

Means testing pensioners was never about targetting, it was all about humiliation, humilation is what the "right" are about.

[John]

Of course it is about targeting. What of others.

Do you think the alcoholic and drug addictions have  much feeling about humility?

Or are they more focused on where their next fix or drink come from?

[Ivanhoe]

No, means testing is about humliation.