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What's the general opinion of Castle Bromwich over 65s regarding the recent Budget?

We all knew it was going to be a tough budget and it's been regarded as "Harsh but Fair" by most of the media. Personally I don't think it's been fair at all to the over 65s, most of whom will be living on a pension.

The under 65s have been given an additional £1000 income tax allowances as a sweetener for the impending rise in VAT which will result in all consumer items, except most foodstuffs and newspapers, going up in price. In addition to that, Public Sector workers earning less than £21,000/yr are to get £250/yr to help them. How many pensioners are lucky enough to have an annual income of £21,000?

We over 65s will have to face the rising costs out of our pre budget income, no sweetener for us.

If, like me you too think it's unfair, write to our MP, Caroline Spelman, at:- 

caroline@carolinespelman.com      and voice your objection.

I did but really didn't get a satisfactory reply. She claimed they were protecting the heating allowance, free bus travel, eye tests & prescriptions. I think she was trying to say be grateful we didn't take them off you! She added that Council Tax was being frozen for a year. However, that will be for the under 65s too. Any guesses what the rise in Council Tax will be in 2012?  

All in all the over 65s will get nothing whatsoever from this budget except higher costs.

I think the Government believes once you hit 65 you sell your car, stop smoking and drinking, cancel all future holidays and the purchasing of any new consumer goods and eke out your life on the state pension plus any other pension you may have. 

My dear sir, I think you are not paying full attention to the detail in the headlines.

Over 65's state pension raised 2 1/2% in April 2010 to £97.65 p.w. & has now been linked to either earnings index or R.P.I. or 2.1/2% rise per annum which ever is the lowest.

 Public sector pensions will recieve no increase at all.

Those civil service workers on less than £21,000 which is by far the majority of civil service workers have had their pay frozen but those that have not reached the rate for their grade yet will be allowed a £250 p.a. rise until they reach their grade maximum.

Those that have been on their pay grade maximum like me have not had a pay rise for the last two years never mind the future years.

Neither have I seen a bonus of any kind for over 5 years despite the fact that I cover the duties & work of two other employees who have left & not been replaced.

They left because of the increased workload they were having to do because of non replacement of workers who have left again through overwork stress.

Those of us that are left are now facing 25% job cuts.

I wish I was retired but I cant afford to.

This budget was supposed to protect the poor & vulnerable according to George Osborne. In my opinion it's done anything but.

Yes, we had a 2.5% increase(taxable) in pensions in April which might just about cover the cost of an extra pint of beer a week for those that like, and can afford a drink, and an additional extra pint every week in years to come.

All the statements I have read or heard in the media say "all" public sector workers earning less than £21K will get £250/yr. If that's wrong then the reporting media's wrong.

As for your lack of a bonus, I worked for BT for almost 35 years and NEVER had a bonus. I got my monthly salary and was grateful for that. Luckily I did benefit from BT's occupational pension scheme. However, new and recent employees are not so lucky as most of the nations final salary pension schemes have been scrapped. You, Boss, working for the public sector still have your partly taxpayer funded final salary pension scheme to look forward to, and taking it at 60 should you wish to. No working until 66 for public sector workers.

I would guess that a 25% cut in public sector jobs would hardly be noticed by the average person in the street. How many non-jobs do you think exist in the public sector? Central Government & Local Government need to make huge savings and getting rid of non-jobs is a good place to start.

Obviously you won't agree with anything I've said but that's your opinion, you know mine.

By the way, from 2011 state pensions will be increased by 2.5%, in line with earnings, or in line with RPI, whichever is the highest, not the lowest. Therefore unless the nation suffers from galloping inflation I see the state pension rise for the foreseeable future stuck at 2.5%(taxable).   

When you have no law enforcement you will notice the 25% cut in the public sector.

When you have no prison officers left all your criminals will be on the streets, this is already happening now!

The vast majority of police arrests do not even come to court because the crown prosecution service cannot process the evidence in time to put it before a judge/magistrate within the allotted time due to lack of staff.

Civil enforcement due to european law having presidence over english law is now totally ineffective & unenforceable.

So if someone owes you money you can just kiss it goodbye along with the money you have wasted getting the court judgement in the first place.

The sharp end of public service will get the cuts & you will suffer for it.

I guarantee you it will not be the highly paid senior top heavy management structure that will be cut as they make the descicsions on who gets the chop.