Is the government putting unions before pensioners? Feat. Mike & Yasmin | Jeremy Vine

Is the government putting unions before pensioners?
Ministers have offered a 15% pay rise to train drivers, with reports other rail unions may now expect similar terms.
Meanwhile millions of pensioners face losing their winter fuel payments in England and Wales, as the cash boost becomes means-tested.
Age UK says pensioners feel they're being treated as a lower priority.
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#JeremyVine #WinterFuel #TrainDrivers

[@northnsouth6813]

Yes they are because the unions back and fund Labour whilst the pensioners are weak and as a whole vote Conservative.

[@rickatatastan2695]

Rather sweeping. I know a lot of pensioners who don't vote Conservative. Unions represent their members, who do Conservatives represent? The rich - the ones who own all the money. The money that could be repairing the country instead of investing in foreign companies, making foreigners wealthy instead of British people. The tories are traitors.

[@keithburnard8604]

pay a decent pension like other countries then you won't need extras

[@jeanpresland4936]

It was given because our state pension is one of the lowest in Europe.

[@sue2512]

I am pensioner just above pension credit by a couple of pounds I pay full for everything including council tax, dental, opticians . I had to save £ 3000 to buy a new boiler it took me years. If I was on pension credit I would have got it for free

[@barryfalco8727]

You can debate whether the Government is prioritising unions over pensioners. What you can't argue is that the Government is prioritising illegal migrants over pensioners.

[@Fabbydabby1]

How are the new labour government prioritising migrants over pensioners when they have not had a chance to change the system yet it takes time

[@graemeshort1928]

And their plan is on steriods

[@barryfalco8727]

⁠​⁠@@Fabbydabby1They have not had the chance to chance to change the system yet? But they have canceled the Rwanda policy, they have canceled the policy that stopped anyone entering the Country (illegal migrants), who were banned from claiming asylum less than five days to now allow them to seek asylum and have not articulated a single policy on how they intend to stop or return a single boat. Other than we are going to smash the criminal gangs. We all now Thad not going to work, much like the drug gangs, knife crime and grooming gangs across the UK. So it look like the excuse is that they have not had the time yet, but they seem to have had plenty of time to stop stop policies to help more illegals enter and stay in the UK, are even prioritise them for new housing. If the can ramp up the judicial system to deal with so called far-right protesters and rioters, can’t be that difficult to ramp up the Boarder Command to deal with illegal migrants can it.

[@rickatatastan2695]

Immigration is a minor issue. It doesn't matter. The tories just blew it up so we wouldn't talk about taxing the rich. We're suckers.

[@spinnersue17]

Then cut it from them but not us on a mere 13k a year!

[@jcfallows]

It shows how comfortable off Yasmin is. When the pension is only half what the basic minimum wage is deemed you need to live? I still have to pay tax. I didn't benefit from the NI reduction the workers got. The train drivers work four days a week and get a free taxi back home if a train isn't available to get them back home we are talking£250 to £300 a time. Roll on driverless trains! Pensions on the continent are generally two or three times higher than what we get. Nurse's start on £29,000 with rises up to £42,000 over ten years. Plus all the pay rises they get in that decade.

[@juliewills8034]

Nurses do a very valuable and responsible job. What do pensioners do? ( except whine ,that is).

[@jcfallows]

You will be old one day!​@@juliewills8034

[@user-mx1gh3mn3w]

Yes it is! It has in for us pensioners! Our government is really the loony far left Unions, that fund Labour! I need my winter fuel payment! My occupational/ private pension is tiny! That Far Left lady should shut up! I need my winter fuel payment! Because my occupational/ private pension is only £76.45 each month!!! I had to pull out my own tooth myself the other day! It should stay universal!

[@PastaSauce.]

If you are on that low of income you will still get it.

[@eileenemmins5875]

Mike is bang on that silly woman hasn’t got a clue She should live in the real world

[@thequest3795]

So you think the likes of Lord Sugar and Mick Jagger should get this extra money to pay their bills - they're are loaded they don't need it

[@eileenemmins5875]

@@thequest3795 your fired another hasn’t got a clue How much tax do you think sugar and co pay £ 300 back hurt would it

[@eileenemmins5875]

@@thequest3795 and they probably don’t even except it or give it to charity and if they all bugger of abroad you only have labour to blames

[@stevendorling4902]

Your pension is not a Benefit for gods sake we have paid into pensions for years so don’t keep saying it a pension

[@Wokevolution]

Lets wait and see how many pensioners suffer after the winter.

[@graemeshort1928]

Do you DIE of cold ? This is a double hit as OFGEN forcasts a Energy price rise for this winter. My heart bleeds for these pensioner caught in Rachell THIVES visious and hartless plan/trap. What happened to dignity in old age ???????????????????

[@stanthesteelguitarman8228]

The Government will indicate the pensioners died of natural causes over this coming Winter, not the true reasons which shortened their lives, which would hold the Government to account. Pensioners no longer contribute to the economy, so they have already outlived their usefulness. Shame on this Government.

[@stanthesteelguitarman8228]

I absolutely agree with every word you say, Millie. The pensioners who will die next Winter, due to cold and/or starvation, will be listed by Government statistics as dying of "natural causes" or just of "old age". My wife and I have used blankets and overcoats to help us keep warm for several years now. I personally had great hopes of Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, which have been entirely shattered. I now feel that she is worse than Thatcher!! I wish you all the very best, and let us hope this coming Winter will be unusually mild for all of us.@@MillieBeal

[@ianship5058]

Excuse me Yasmin most pensioners pay tax

[@user-cv3wx3cn4n]

Yes even those on the old basic pension can now fall into paying some tax as The element of Serps ensures that.

[@vikingfrog7204]

Tax on pensions is nonsense

[@elaineblake3602]

The young people who are on benefits should be helped into work instead of giving them free money.

[@vikingfrog7204]

Silly moo

[@roycampbell5605]

Labour always put the unions first.because the unions fund labour.this incompetant government couldn't care less about pensioners.

[@Fabbydabby1]

Are the unions not working people?

[@alancoates4531]

Who funds the Tories ?

[@terencegardner644]

Sad that old people get less than able bodied people sitting at home doing nothing 😡

[@DavidSmith-tf2tw]

She says she happy not to get the £300 but has not refused it in the past.

[@Fabbydabby1]

That’s because you can’t refuse it you have to take it

[@pdempseyful]

Absolutely dreadful that people are getting pay rises during a cost of living crises…. Disgraceful 😮

[@nickryder9669]

Pdempseyful they haven’t had a pay rise their increase is in line with inflation instead of years of pay increases less than inflation 14 years of austerity that has seen the water companies rail companies award huge wage rises and payouts to bosses and share holders for 💩services

[@stuartregan1627]

Inflation based or slightly above is fine. 11x inflation at the expense of pensioners is disgusting.

[@nickryder9669]

@@stuartregan1627 work it out the pay dispute has been going on for years in that time we have had record inflation ! It’s not at today’s rate it’s an average over several years compounded from day one ! They have had a break even pay rise ! What did the Tories say it had cost more in payouts to the rail companies ( twelve months ago ) than the railworkers wanted !

[@stuartregan1627]

@@nickryder9669 I've worked it out ....they are plain greedy.

[@ianbird7444]

anyone who has worked hard and saved up will be punished ,i work for local government and had a pay freeze for a number of years i haven't got a 15% pay rise . put the means tested threshold up to 25k this government will be voted out and will start to get a shock when the next by-election comes round

[@leahmichaelides4146]

So if our rich journalist on the panel is glad she has her winter fuel allowance withdrawn, she should have given it to charity. Bet she kept it.

[@daleevans1222]

Stop paying for hotels for asylum seekers

[@nickryder9669]

Dale Evans no other government has payed for hotels no Labour government or Tory or coalition

[@juliewills8034]

The fact is Britain needs train drivers, it needs doctors and nurses; the country does not need pensioners.

[@deco2132]

Its very easy for people with very big private pensions and huge assets (much of the media commentariat) to say pensioners get too much. They dont, most pensioners earn the basic state pension and get a few hundred quid extra per month from private pension. How do people think that Junior Doctors cant live on £35,000 a year but pensioners are expected to live on £12,500 per year. Its means tested - yes at £12,500 per year - earn more than that you lose the winter fuel allowance. So if you qualify for the standard state pension - you automatically loose the winter fuel allowance.

[@sharonsmith381]

There's going to be a lot of pensioners dying this winter, shame on this Government, too all the people that thick pensioners can live on £ 12000 a year!! You try it wait till you're a pensioner

[@rickatatastan2695]

A lot of pensioners die every Winter, but means testing will result in those who need the Winter Fuel Allowance being able to afford it. This will allow the government to fix potholes, allowing meals-on-wheels to get to the pensioners' homes without breaking their wheels. Do I always have to explain why tax is good in such dumbed down terms?

[@jemmajames6719]

Not just pensioners anyone vulnerable what about people with young children and babies. I worry constantly about my bills and I’m in my fifties.

[@jemmajames6719]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@rickatatastan2695Ok, like means testing always works. Fixing all the pot holes etc never going to happen. How about giving all pensioners there due after most have worked and paid tax all their lives. How about stopping all the waste in the NHS, getting rid of net zero, sorting out too much immigration and illegal immigration that cost us billions and billions each year. How about not being condescending and arrogant by basically calling people thick. Oh and how about not being so callous with your throw away comment pensioners die every year!

[@rickatatastan2695]

The target of your ire should be the super-wealthy. They own the media which is telling you things are bad because of immigrants and unions. The super-wealthy should be paying tax to make things better, then the government can afford pay both workers AND pensioners.

[@BrokenHill56]

Is Channel 5 putting idiocy before reason?

[@roycampbell5605]

Why are mps getting 3.500 .when they don't qualify for fuel allowance.

[@keithperkin-vb8hv]

Let's blame the unions for 14 years of iory austerity cuts and corruption

[@lindawarner9627]

That lady is wrong, I am living on the state pension after having to give up my part time job because of ill health and I can't get pension credit as I'm a couple of pounds over the limit.

[@shindy444]

Why don't you try applying for other benefits.

[@lindawarner9627]

I have checked and there is nothing for people like me.

[@miloandalfie5509]

@lina. Yasmin Alabhai - Brown is "that lady". Educated, informed, hard working woman of colour.

[@johnnylindsay8760]

Ministers don't pay train drivers. Train Operating Companies pay train drivers.

[@cafsixtieslover]

As soon as I heard about the train drivers, I wondered what the Government would take off pensioners next to pay for it.

[@malcolm8564]

Clearly they are paying extra to people already getting 65k while taking money from people getting 12k. Madness.

[@elizabethmellis4681]

Don’t you think that pensioners have you already sacrificed and payed their dues.

[@vincentblack7467]

The world leaders are condemned Starmer for what he's doing to the County...

[@miloandalfie5509]

@vincent. Elon Musk? Frat boy, fascist, billionaire? World leader? 🤪

[@davidproctor8630]

What a one sided discussion against pensioners

[@user-dp7bk1dt3t]

Lots of Dr,s and nurses work a 3 or 4 day week Yasmin is so out of touch .

[@alanoliver535]

That Yasmin is pro Labour and is saying that people on the state pension should not get the winter fuel ,but its ok for unions get over inflation rises.The winter fuel was a universal payment and should have been kept,as for what those who have propertys have worked all the lifes.

[@SAS-vx1jk]

Yasmin has ZERO idea of going on. Millions of pensioners are poor. Look around you and get s grip. I can get a bus pass but there sre no buses for goodness sake. Ok in London but not in the country. A dangerous way?????? Whaast??????

[@Anonymous-zg8vi]

If the State pension is now classed as a benefit how is it that ALL BENEFITS are not being slashed and TAXED?

[@anthonylloyd8000]

Don't mention 72 people earn 300,000 running the railway and head gets 500,000 a year why .

[@rogermoore5761]

The problem is this, either the weekly pension is too low or the cost of fuel is too high. The answer is simple. Either cap the price of fuel or raise the pension to a more realistic level so pensioners do not need any extra help. Another option of course would be to cease giving money to countries to fight wars and so called the ' developing' countries who have space programs etc. Is that claptrap?

[@angelalord6269]

Did any of those pensioners who can afford to do without the winter fuel actually refused the payouts (you can do that)

[@robertgoulty395]

If they are hell bent with means testing pensions why aren't they means testing pay rises...especially for the MPs who make these evil decisions...

[@paulgeorge15718]

Sooner or later everybody will be pensioners

[@Jamal-Ahmed786]

The answer is increasing the threshold for qualifying for winter fuel. That threshold should not be limited to the pension credit eligibility.

[@Fabbydabby1]

Ok so where do you draw the line? I know pensioners that work & get the state pension so in reality they have 2 incomes coming in & that means they get more money than a full time worker

[@Jamal-Ahmed786]

@@Fabbydabby1 if they are working then then that work income should be taken into account when working out the threshold. We need to make sure that rich well off pensioners do not get WF and at the same time we need to protect poor pensioners who are genuinely struggling.

[@darrencartledge6530]

Agreed,but it would be costly and would require the hiring of staff to sort it.just like the blanket payouts for all pensioners, they blanket for only the very lowest.

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

​@@Jamal-Ahmed786it is

[@pdempseyful]

Typical divide and conquer talking points lol

[@brianoriordan7281]

Stop this divisiveness someone has to suffer. Many pensioners are very wrll off. Others are in need anvf will not lose this benefit. I too am happy turning pensioners against train drivers is deplorable.

[@grahamwinkle2563]

This women is a disgrace should not be seen again

[@cafsixtieslover]

Where do people get this £300.00 winter fuel payment from? My husband and I only got £200.00 which was paid to us as £100.00 each. That just covered one month's bill and not much more.

[@jamesunsworth8468]

What ever the unions get, it will never be enough. We need to stop giving money to foreign countries and to people who have never paid in to the system. We should be looking after the elderly.

[@johnmansell5097]

Payments from the Union to Labour Party and the higher pay increase to the union members is corruption in any other form.

[@advocate1563]

Looks likr it. Let's wait for the first hypothermia cases - should be fun, particularly with illegal immigrants living in paid for hmos replete with heating. This is a very odd government. They are a mass of nonsensical contradictions.

[@anuragsinha2013]

I don't think we need an election after this Kier starmer has done an amazing job at being the Prime minister, he should be Prime minister for life. The last Prime Minister.

[@user-vg9kg2ib6r]

Are you for real?

[@anuragsinha2013]

@@user-vg9kg2ib6r no

[@anuragsinha2013]

@@user-vg9kg2ib6r Now that he's gone from Kier starmer to Kier Stasi to Kier Al Thani. Sadiq Khan for PM. That is the natural trajectory of the labour party. From Tony Blair to Kier starmer to Sadiq Khan.

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

A £12500 pension, is nil to £70k a year to drive a train I served in the Royal Navy and received a small military pension, which along with my basic pre 1980 small state pension equates to £3 a week too much to claim Universal Credit,, Everytime the state pension goes up then my RN pension is taxed on that amount, my RN Pension is now almost nil but still £2 too much to claim UC

[@leeantoniades8744]

So hard workers can’t have a pay rise. It’s not taking from them to pay drivers. There pension has still gone up with inflation it’s the fuel allowance that’s going. But only from ones that don’t need it.

[@jimmollison7608]

Put someone on the panel that is a working class pensioner rather than one person that has more than enough to survive, how dare she think she is in a position to argue the point. She is a disgrace

[@terencegardner644]

All this means testing 😡if you’ve worked all your life that means you’ve passed the test simple 😡😡😡

[@Fabbydabby1]

So you think a working pensioner that brings in 2 wages should be entitled to the 300 pounds winter fuel allowance when in most cases they are bringing in more money than a full time worker

[@terencegardner644]

@@Fabbydabby1 my argument is I’ve worked and paid 50 years of taxes so as the wife 🤔a lot of able bodied people have never paid any taxes yet there benefits out do my pension 👍

[@Jennifer-x3m]

Yasmin is out order pensioners paid for measly pension we get.france spain etc look after there pensioners.not all rich your lucky rich pensioners

[@davidscott9341]

What pensions will train drivers get ?

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

Train drivers are no longer required, just as on the London Underground, the trains are Automatic, All the driver at the front does is open the doors when the train stops

[@peteraston4753]

Yasmin needs removing she is so far left even the far left do not like her

[@user-cv3wx3cn4n]

That women has no idea of how Pensioners just over Pension Credit often by only pence will have to manage. On that low income she has no idea! Those on Pension credit also get other help (which they deserve ) which those of us being punished by the most wicked & evil Goverment ever in UK get no other help !

[@robertadams1054]

She says ,her and her husband don’t need the winter fuel payment, proofs the point, woke/lefties are a pain in the ARSE?

[@BarbaraRayment-nb6dt]

She us dedpicable

[@robertadams1054]

@@BarbaraRayment-nb6dt yes I agree, every time she appears, I scream, she is just a horrible individual?

[@lesbuchanan2268]

Pin point all these benefits OAP get, I can only think of three, the point is, why are we paying out, on all the imergrents that have not paid a penny into the system, that’s what you should be discussing. Get your priorities right. Prat

[@christopherjones6170]

What did you expect from Labour .

[@philiplewis9825]

The uk has the lowest pensions In Europe

[@peter0010]

6:58, Mike, don't be ridiculous. If this was anyone else in society, you'd say that they're living beyond their means and they should sell their million pound house. Don't be absurd

[@philipbrailsford3764]

Time mps reduced they’re wages n bonus

[@sylviawhite2794]

Yes they are

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

Pensioners, Go to Argos and buy a small rubber dinghy, put on the beach near Dover, inflate it sit in it and wait, Voila, four star hotel, food, heating and £7 a day pocket money, then pop outside and earn income delivering takeaways

[@philipgratton51]

Yes take from the pensioners a give to there union masters

[@briankerrison8504]

Parry..at your net worth..train drivers would have to work 30+yrs .. you’ve only ever sat on your arse as well 🥴🥴🥴🤭🤭😎

[@keithjackson5128]

Does the gentleman have to so strident?

[@danpepper2525]

Why begrudge a tax payer/worker getting a pay rise? The train staff have not had a pay rise since 2019 so for 5 years no pay rises. In that time inflation sky rocketed so a pay rise was well passed due. Furthermore I think that its reasonable to change the policy that the winter fuel allowance is no longer universal but within that i would means test it and lift the limit to say £20-£25k a year so anyone whos state and private pension totals more than £20-£25k no longer receives therefore protecting the most vulnerable but there should absolutely be a cut off and sometimes there are winners and sometimes there are losers. For too long the workers have been the losers under 14 years of Tory divide and rule.

[@johnowen1677]

But inflation is back down again.

[@onetone4561]

You don't have to claimm the pension if your well off

[@elizabethpointing]

Yes

[@user-dp7bk1dt3t]

I don’t get free transport only those living in the London bubble of importance get all the extras someone tell me why anybody who is getting less than the national living wage should get it . My £12,000 a year is a long way below what they get

[@siadali7673]

Absolutely outrageous situation

[@elizabethbrown248]

Yes😊

[@garymanders2340]

its ok to say what she says when u are loaded

[@stevenwhite8210]

Why is this woman on tv

[@kristinamasters1663]

I would not feel safe on a driverless train. Plus that would be more people out of work

[@alancoates4531]

Wonder who much a tv panelist’s gets .

[@andrewmerriman7133]

The Winter Fuel Allowance should be paid to all Pensioners, If Pensioners do not think they should get the Winter Fuel Allowance then they should opt out of receiving it. It is wrong to say Sundays are not part of the working week on the railways, anyone working for some railway companies have no option but to work Sundays, Arriva Trains Wales staff did when they ran the trains in Wales other than staff that had never worked a Sunday before they took over the franchise. As for Yasmin she sounds even worse than Robber Reeves and should be ashamed of herself.

[@user-vg9kg2ib6r]

Did we expect anything else?

[@Anonymous-zg8vi]

I was expecting a Labour government to be bad for the country but I don’t think anyone could have imagined just HOW bad and after only 5Weeks into the job have brought our beautiful country to its knees, shame on them.

[@PastaSauce.]

1 in 3 pensioners are nearly millionaires with the properties they own. They have had enough. We need to help young People. I doubt they will even get a pension

[@bobgodwin9927]

Means tested yes it is mean

[@stanthesteelguitarman8228]

And what about Premier League footballers who can't even kick the ball at goal - even at point blank range? [ I myself learnt how to shoot accurately at goal in the school playground, yet never played professionally, long before today's football playing comics were born]. I strongly feel those over paid players in sport generally should pay more income tax, to fund the pensioners' Winter Fuel Allowance, if the Government really can't afford it. Of course, the train drivers [to a lesser degree] are overpaid too!

[@leslieburlinson624]

People need to pay tax to subsidies the less well off micheal graham needs to go to specsavers.

[@Mary-g4l9w]

If /

[@josephhodgetts136]

People who don’t need heating allowance can opt OUT of collecting it.

[@keithjackson5128]

Dont be daft i've told my children that my bgrandchildrens xmas box will be cut

[@pdempseyful]

The Jeramy Vine Show - The home of right-wing talking points.

[@osmanfadil2451]

right wing 🤣🤣🤣

[@robertadams1054]

NEVER. Leftie’s .

[@shindy444]

This man who is shouting and screaming, does he think its right to give millionaire and billionaires to get winter fuel payment? He is very foolish and I read some comments below and they are believing his lies, if you are on pension credit you will get winter fuel, if you get certain benefits you will get winter fuel, I know what I am talking about because this is my job, there are many non means tested benefit that people can apply for which will add up to more than winter fuel. The other thing is I don't know where he is getting he percentage from. I am working with so many people in big houses and they cannot live in it, people should downsize for affordability. None of these people have worked in benefits or charity they have no clue. Let these pensioners seek advice, CAB, Turn2us and charities for support. Driverless trains that's more people out of work, honestly people use your brain. The last caller says it all he can manage without it but he wants it, that's greed

[@spinnersue17]

What about if you can't claim any other benefits though and fall into that bracket like myself where I live on my State Pension and a small works pension that juat takes me over the threshold for pension credit? I do agree that it should be taken away from wealthy pensioners but not given in pay rises to high earners.

[@robertadams1054]

Typical Libor 💩💩💩💩comment.

[@user-cv3wx3cn4n]

She is wrong . I do agree that the wealthy pensioners do not need it. But you do not get any other benefits if you are just above Pension Credit. Yes if you live in a big house in a higher Council tax bracket you might get some help. Please do not assume we all live in big houses. I do not it is a tiny home Council tax A . If it was a B i would get help. yes I do get a free Bus pass but what use is that if there is not a bus service which many in very rural areas now find is the case. I am too old to drive now.

[@shindy444]

@@user-cv3wx3cn4n firstly I never said all pensioners live in big houses the reason I mention big house is because I support people who can't cope living in their big houses anymore this is because of age, health conditions etc. You are also wrong about if you are just above pension credit you would not get any other benefit, there are benefits if you are experiencing certain health conditions, there are also discount on water if you are washing more because of health related conditions, all this information is out there to be accessed. You said you're too old to drive now why not access Taxicard or I don't know if community transport is provided in your area.

[@shindy444]

@@spinnersue17 are you 65+? Do you have health conditions? Do you rely on others to do more things for you, like cleaning, shopping etc? If yes to any of the above try applying for Attendance Allowance, it's none means tested.

[@TobiasStarling]

1 in 5 pensioners are millionaires. It should have been cut decades ago.

[@cafsixtieslover]

Where did you get that idea?

[@TobiasStarling]

@@cafsixtieslover office for national statistics.

[@onetone4561]

The average income for a pensioner in the uk after tax is 18k a year so not many millionaire's

[@larskaminskidk]

The problem with pensioners in the UK and most of the West is that they forgot to put money aside for old age. Instead, they spent the money on various pleasures they couldn't actually afford.

[@user-cv3wx3cn4n]

This is not true, I worked from age 15 for an employer with no pension scheme . There was no minimum wage but I did try to put a little aside for old age. I have never had a passport & never had a holiday since age 7 years & that was only a few days at my nearest seaside resort. I have never smoked or drink. I cannot afford a vechicle which in a rural area with no buses (yes I do get a free Bus Pass ) I have no family to look after me. But that I put by has all gone as I had to use it just tom eat & some heat. now without the winter heating allowance the only thing I have left is not renewing my TV licence. AND when I worked it was for at least 54 hrs a week & to start with we only had one weeks paid holiday (it latter went to two )

[@roycampbell5605]

Yes.