http://blog.ilcuk.org.uk/2006/12/06/the-dilemma-of-winter-fuel-payments/ International Longevity Centre - UK Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:34:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://blog.ilcuk.org.uk/2006/12/06/the-dilemma-of-winter-fuel-payments/#comment-2 Robert Springett Wed, 14 Feb 2007 09:27:44 +0000 http://codesign.it/ilc-blog/?p=37#comment-2 The whole question of the so called Winter Fuel Allowance becomes a farce the more it is looked into. It was introduced pure and simply as a political ploy to attract the votes of the older population. When first introduced, persons living in another EU country were not elegible to receive it, but after numerous protests to Brussels, the Government were more or less obliged to do something so they allowed those who were already in receipt of it in the UK to ‘export’ it with them if they went to live in another EU country which includes, places such as Guadaloupe, where one fails to see the need for keeping warm in winter! The situation has now become ludicrous insofar as I, and I am not the only one in a similar position, am nearly 82 and with a registered handicap due to Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis and Arthritis, am not entitled to this payment as we came here 25 years ago, whilst I have several younger British neighbours, in their 60’s and much fitter than I who do get it! It also so happens that I live in an area of France where we get very cold winters with temperatures quite commonly as low as -10° to 15°C. Three of us have got as far as having our case that we are being discriminated against accepted by the Court of Human Rights, but are unable to proceed when it was stated that we would have to be legally represented and we, at our age and as pensioners on limited means, were unable to accept the possibility of heavy legal expenses. I have found out under the Freedom of Information Act that a total of some 40 000 persons living outside the UK receive this payment and of these some 2 400 are 80 years of age or more. Could it be pertinant that those like myself who have been abroad for more than 15 years no longer have a UK vote, whereas those younger ones still do have a vote? It is time something was done to bring some justice into this ridiculous and unfair situation. The whole question of the so called Winter Fuel Allowance becomes a farce the more it is looked into. It was introduced pure and simply as a political ploy to attract the votes of the older population.
When first introduced, persons living in another EU country were not elegible to receive it, but after numerous protests to Brussels, the Government were more or less obliged to do something so they allowed those who were already in receipt of it in the UK to ‘export’ it with them if they went to live in another EU country which includes, places such as Guadaloupe, where one fails to see the need for keeping warm in winter!
The situation has now become ludicrous insofar as I, and I am not the only one in a similar position, am nearly 82 and with a registered handicap due to Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis and Arthritis, am not entitled to this payment as we came here 25 years ago, whilst I have several younger British neighbours, in their 60’s and much fitter than I who do get it! It also so happens that I live in an area of France where we get very cold winters with temperatures quite commonly as low as -10° to 15°C.
Three of us have got as far as having our case that we are being discriminated against accepted by the Court of Human Rights, but are unable to proceed when it was stated that we would have to be legally represented and we, at our age and as pensioners on limited means, were unable to accept the possibility of heavy legal expenses.
I have found out under the Freedom of Information Act that a total of some 40 000 persons living outside the UK receive this payment and of these some 2 400 are 80 years of age or more.
Could it be pertinant that those like myself who have been abroad for more than 15 years no longer have a UK vote, whereas those younger ones still do have a vote?
It is time something was done to bring some justice into this ridiculous and unfair situation.

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