Pensioner poverty | Deaths in Winter | Social Security | cold winter payments | TV Eye | 1985

This is a shortened version of the original report
'TV Eye' takes a look at the plight of pensioner poverty and how hundreds could be dying from the cold because they cannot afford to hear their homes. Are changes to the benefit system to blame?
Peter Gill Reports
First shown: 14/03/1985
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Quote: VT33134

[@huub1989]

Every phone conversation with my pensioner parents in winter begins with “We had to keep the heat on all day today”, or “We were able to put the heat off today”, the preoccupation with whether or not to heat their home is something that they shouldn’t have to worry about at their age. They are finely attuned to what it costs to heat their home and what they can withstand in terms of cold in order not to face huge heating bills. This is the sad reality for many pensioners. Nothing has changed since 1985 when my grandparents lived the same reality.

[@RandomIndividual01480]

I would advise everybody facing high heating bills to try a different heating regime. The method is more effective with gas heating but should produce similar results with electric heating too. You will need a mechanic timer to achieve the result. Setting your boiler's controls to fire up for 15 minutes (1 pin on) every hour (3 pins off) during the day and for 15 pins every 2-3 hours during the night makes the house warm all the time and takes less energy to heat up overall. (This method is even more effective with underfloor heating). I would suggest you give it a try for a week/month (take meter readings before and after) and compare the results. You can try it yourself before suggesting it to your parents.

[@marc44444]

i also always try to limit the heating of my home. just the necessary areas, at 17° celcius. wearing thick jumpers helps. and turning on the woodburning fire in the sitting area. i am also very happy when the heating can be off. Not just for the heating bill but more for the environment. i think everybody should live like this. a better world starts with you! (i'm 34 btw) (i'm currently building a zero energy house)

[@huub1989]

@@marc44444 hi Marc, I too am really conscious of not “wasting heat/energy resources. My partner and I take pride in the fact that every year for the past 5 years our electricity bill and electricity usage has decreased whilst everyone else complains that’s theirs increased. By the way we live in Montreal, Canada. We have really made an effort to sensitize our friends on what you can do to lower usage of electricity, a good incentive is to tell them about the $$$$ savings. We can choose this, sadly some people are in situations where their costs are fixed or they really suffer from the cold. Choice is key and awareness of course. Sadly too many have to worry about heating their homes to a “liveable” standard.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

@@RandomIndividual01480 Is this because the short cycling causes the boiler water/air heat exchanger to stay cooler and thus effects more heat transfer and keeps the stack gas temperatures cooler?

[@debbieframpton3857]

Are you able to help them

[@th8257]

This video is a very useful corrective to people who falsely remember the 70s and 80s as some kind of golden era, because they were young back then and had no idea just how much so many adults and old people struggled.

[@zezet0ni594]

Being young in the 70s didn't mean we didn't witness this. We did! And have done every decade since.

[@KarmasAbutch]

It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with class and privilege- I was young back then but raised by my Gran who was living like this in a council flat - riding bikes with flat tires and kicking around deflated footballs she’d found for me in the park - only thing I miss about these times is her love. Couldn’t pay me enough to go back to these shithole times or my shithole hometown. But yes I feel similarly annoyed at people talking about 70s and 80s nostalgia as better times - slums, poverty, thatcher, dole, child abuse and neglect, Yorkshire ripper, these were horrible times that I’m still scarred by today. Miss u Gran ❤️‍🩹

[@th8257]

​@@KarmasAbutchoh I think it's a lot to do with selective memory and people being resentful that they got old. The people in talking about often witnessed these things clearly, but have somehow chosen to forget. As the saying goes "the older you get, the better the past becomes"

[@th8257]

​@@zezet0ni594indeed, but some people seem to have selective memories - that's what I'm getting at. People who moan at the modern world and try and pretend things were better then. Selective memories - usually they're looking for someone to blame for the fact they got old.

[@stephenholmes1036]

​​@@th8257to a degree, poverty yes far worse, id prefer to still be brought up in the 1960s and 1970s better childhood. But poverty was real in remember it.

[@stevehotspur]

Things no different today so that’s progress

[@buttonmoon1978]

And here we are in 2022 where the energy prices keep on rising and now the majority of the people here in the UK young and old will be in poverty/debt😔.

[@zoefroon4269]

Nothing has changed. It is discussing. The Government should hand their head in shame.

[@Geshreeyeh]

Absolutely discussing

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Absolutely hand!

[@calumbaxter9946]

I am completely discussed too.

[@perolagrande]

A misguided remark. It's not for the govt to pay your fuel bills for you. Govt has no money other than that collected from the taxpayer, so you are effectively asking the taxpayer to pay other people's bills for them in addition to their own! That would be unfair and unreasonable.

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Same government doesn't that tell you something stop voting decking tory

[@tina5203]

This was very sad to watch !!

[@andrewdaley3081]

Especially when we have the sixth biggest economy in the world. Andy England 🇬🇧👍🌍

[@nadershah4845]

It's a shame that they got money to spend for war and military adventures in distant countries yet not money to help those who have helped built this country. It's a disgrace

[@chuckemmorll2821]

MP's expenses wouldn't have been cut.

[@gpo746]

heat or eat...that scenario still echos on nearly 40 years later .

[@Zlervo]

What has changed? Absolutely nothing.

[@marklola12]

Broke me heart at the I'll man being taken into the ambulance and the narrator saying most who died at home from the cold died alone :( Noone should be like this let alone older people who are more helpless than anyone else. Governments should always be prepared each year to have help ready for when people need it And to help 1 lot of people should not mean the government then reduced another lot of people's money or help

[@saxongreen78]

£128? Holy Moses...that's appalling.

[@zezet0ni594]

The invisible old. Not something many will look forward to in their old age in this country. Some will die cold, hungry and alone this winter. Such a bloody shame!

[@Rob_Walker.]

Nothing what so ever has changed clothing their and hair but nothing else. Eat or heat 😑

[@bengaligangsta]

Just got a notification that my gas and electricity bill has gone up to £575 a month lol 😂. UK is finished

[@lbaker3602001]

Missouri, USA. My electric & Nat. gas bill has doubled since Corn Pop took office. Was $45 & $40, now $95 & $90 per month.

[@janebrown1706]

I came to the UK in 78 and all the colonials I lived with (Canadians, Kiwis, Sth Africans, Rhodesians) even Americans, were appalled at how little you poms had. The pensioners struggling, and that had been their life's existence since WW2. Not spending money cos they had none. Others catching the bus early in winter (clogging up the buses) to spend the day at Brent Cross shopping centre in the warmth. You poms are taxed to the eyeballs for everything (always have been according to the history books). Your young people who should be working get so much much more than old people.

[@TrueBrit1]

Things are better now as in recent decades people have been encouraged to invest in their own private pensions and the state pension is better now than ever, but that is not to say it is overly generous. The basic state pension here is around £165 per week. Lots of people have additional pensions so those with their own homes with no or little mortgage can have pretty decent retirements. Additionally, people on low income/pensions can claim pension credit (a top up payment) plus winter payments so all in all things are much better. The current 50+ people are probably the richest there's ever been with house prices sky high and many have bought second or third homes as an investment so people are sitting on significant assets. A 3 bed home in the south east of England can cost anywhere from £300K to maybe £1million, a LOT more in London. There are quite a lot of other benefits that can be claimed too so the scene we saw in this video are now generally a long bygone age. It can STILL be said that many people can be better off living off benefits than from working. As an example, a non-working family with 3 kids could get £1,000 per month or more towards paying their rent - a 3 bed home can cost from say £800 per month to £1500 per month or more - depends on where you live. People can get many other benefits including £20+ per week child benefit and another £10+ for additional kids, plus tax credits of hundreds per week, although tax credits are more generous for those that work. All in all, the amount of money that can be claimed by people including pensioners can be vast. So some spend their lives sponging and doing nothing but churn out kids. I'm assuming you're an Aussie? My Brother lives over there and he said your system is pretty rubbish, although I know the unemployment benefit rate is better than here, although I believe the cost of living is more there so probably similar benefits to here when all is said and done. He has recently started receiving a pension from an old UK employer and the Oz tax system is taxing it even though it has already been taxed in the UK. Most countries operate a "Double Taxation System" where credit is given for tax paid in another country, although apparently the ATO doesn't give any credit and takes their (additional) share too. We're actually taxed quite low now. Everybody gets a tax free allowance of around £12,000 and over that the tax rate is 20% until you earn in the £50,000+ range. We also pay National Insurance of normally 12% (which historically was to pay for our healthcare NHS system & pensions but it's just another tax now), but that is only after your monthly income goes over about £900, so if you earn £2,000 per month you'll pay about £200 income tax and £130 National Insurance, so you'll take home about £1,670 per month. Obviously the more you earn then the more tax & NI you'll pay. If you earn £3,000 per month you'll pay about £400 tax & £250 NI so you'll take home about £2,350 per month after deductions. I wouldn't say that's very highly taxed - you take home about 80% of your earnings!

[@balthiersgirl2658]

No young are no better off believe me and that's if they work

[@balthiersgirl2658]

@@TrueBrit1 bollocks

[@rapman5363]

@@TrueBrit1 And Bob’s your Uncle

[@williamwilson6499]

I moved to England in 1985…electricity was (still is) quite dear. They’ll be stacking up the frozen OAPs like cord wood this coming Winter.

[@Demetri450]

Nothing has changed when it comes to ending poverty & hunger.

[@robholden1341]

38 years on and not much has changed... oh yeh it has... they can't afford to eat either now 👍

[@EBOWARRIOR]

I and my 3 siblings pay our parents electric and gas and they always have the heating on when it is cold but I am fully aware that even in this day and age so many pensioners without family or with family still cannot pay their bills in winter, IT should be free for pensioners who have paid into the system over the years. Politicians are the problem, making decisions without consequence.

[@marclaw4511]

It's a a dread getting old even now.Hope i bail out before i go through this.

[@anoncreation3440]

In 2022 I've found all these videos of poverty in the 1970s in England and I can tell you nothing much has changed in all these years. Every year old people in UK still die from cold. It's going to be even harder this year with these greedy energy companies.

[@gavinmillar7519]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Deliberate neglect.

[@patd4u2]

I have been watching them also. Unfortunately, there are so many of them to watch.

[@danieldroukis5431]

I was shocked to see the man putting coins in the electric meter. Give them credit for having not paying the bill and get it later/ The government does that for all the nonsense they buy everyday. This is life and death for god's sake.

[@naimakelly7581]

So sad too see anyone going through such catastrophe hardships of choosing to eat and heat and electricity too , any age am flabbergasted.😢

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

Naima Kelly It is really bad now even worse than then.

[@balthiersgirl2658]

@@sarahjones-jf4pr and it's the Tory's again

[@ingiemummalove130]

It’s awful to think people are still in this crisis now 😢 it’s horrendous to think to that sadly the government sadly never seems to support the elderly or the hard worker tax payers just the loungers and scroungers who don’t work.

[@briansparks8528]

Now covid knocks them over a terrible way to treat the people who have worked hard all their life.

[@jules151968]

This was made when we transitioned from COAL to GAS and OIL.

[@Alfredromeothatsme]

120 quid 36 years ago, unbelievable!

[@vanessasimmons1175]

Think the £120 electric bill was for a quarter (3 months) as they were in those days.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

3:32 Jesus!!! £371 includes inflation!!!!

[@Oranjee1089]

This video is so ominous. I wonder how everyone will make it to the other side after winter I.e. April. and inflation may still be going up even then.

[@marklola12]

Love these longer videos

[@ronnieread3864]

Oh Jesus when will people protect the elderly. Shameful.

[@Liz-sq9pf]

If the bed could have been moved away from the window, would help keep the couple warmer, also bubble wrap placed on the window is supposed to help keep cold out. Poor fellow having to go to hospital because of the cold!!

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Bubble wrap wasn't around to buy then as much

[@roybennett9284]

Old people are generally proud so don't ask for help

[@axelohman535]

Still a severe problem in large parts of the world, unfortunately... The winter of 1985 was exceptional, here in Finland I believe we had several weeks periods of -30 degrees C, and the temperature record in the north was -50. Underground water pipes found frozen even in august.

[@jennifersivewright3117]

I nearly died of flu that year. We lived on a building site with no heating. Thanks to my bloody parents.

[@murkydepths181]

There is a huge amount of sheer ignorance such as sleeping against the window and having so few blankets on the bed, cheap s/h, and not using an electric blanket which costs so little to keep you really warm

[@stephenholmes1036]

Duncan Smith has brought in far worse today!

[@ASTPlumbing9090]

.......and nothing has changed

[@claudesantolini6335]

Doesn't this break the queen 's heart? And the rest of the RF. All these mansions, houses and castles. Scandalous.

[@sandrafinbar]

It should. They should help the elderly more.

[@bonnie_gail]

LOL hardly think so

[@mattfisher694]

1985 - Tory government remove pensioners fuel benefit 2021 - Tory government remove triple lock pension protection Anyone see a pattern?

[@minnie5301]

Torys remove free bus passes for over 60 Torys removing free prescriptions for over 60's Torys remove free TV licence for our 75's yes there is a pattern

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Just what I said

[@mickowen3318]

as long as u have a hot water bottle or 2 u r never cold

[@user-wt8nk9xc8m]

Lucky if you can afford heating, let alone food. Life as a disabled pensioner-joke!

[@Horizon344]

The UK still has the meanest state pension in the 1st World almost 40 years on, whilst MP's pensions are extremely generous. That's the Liblabcon for you.

[@carlarrowsmith]

I'm sure you can provide a link with evidence of this?

[@Horizon344]

@@carlarrowsmith Google: 'Business for Scotland UK state pension worst in developed world and has the highest retirement age', big mouth.

[@carlarrowsmith]

@@Horizon344 Fudged figures and biased reporting in that article trying to make SNP look like a good idea to vote for. Here is something more realistic www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/042914/top-pension-systems-world.asp We're middle of the road, better than France, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

[@computerone5588]

A hangover of past practices when brits had the best occupational/workplace pensions. Course, since the 1980s, companies have been allowed to run down their pension schemes (or outright raid them!) But no change in state pensions to compensate.

[@steveurkel9440]

Winter 2021

[@MrIrrepressible]

Why the f^^^ do we hive houses and money to and mmigrants when our own elderly are literally dieing in winter. Makes me very angry.

[@autumnortiz6782]

So Sad

[@blancabulgrin5560]

This happened in 1985? I thought it happened now 2023?

[@jobellecollie7139]

£4 for TV license. Make it free, that’s income better spent.

[@andymerrett]

Governments have treated old people in particular appallingly, probably forever. There's plenty of money to spend on wars, and nuclear deterrents, and all of this other crap, but not giving the most vulnerable members of society something decent. Most of these people are not "scroungers" either, they've worked and/or "paid in" all their lives, so they can sit in rooms lit by the streetlamps with 15 layers of clothing on and hope they don't die this year. It's disgusting.

[@debbieframpton3857]

Can any of these older people share living quarters to save on Heating in the winter or not heat every room . Rooms that I'm not using I keep the doors closed to save on utilities in the US. The wife of the man that collapsed should pull the bed away from the wall that might help a little bit with the draft and the wet pillow

[@patd4u2]

nothing helps, I was stationed for 16 years in the UK when I was in the Air Force back in the 70s 80s and 90s. You can't imagine how the damp cold goes right through you. The British never insulated those older houses when they were built. As soon as the heat is turned off, the temperature in the room goes to freezing. if they can't afford to heat their homes even being in bed with five or six blankets, you're still shivering. It's unbelievable.

[@Al........]

@@patd4u2 I have a house built in the 20's and no insulation and yes it is freezing... my wood burner keeps us warm... which the government are now trying to restrict.

[@Bill-cv1xu]

Bloody Hell

[@deeppurple883]

2021 and the way same issues are still with us, like poverty, high electricity price's, people dying from the cold. Nothing new under the sun, Ireland. ☘️

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Same government Tory's

[@bbrraanniissllaavv]

The side effects of the Thatcherite neoliberal austerity politics

[@adailydaughter6196]

😢

[@JohnnysCafe_]

Tv licence? What's that ?

[@victiniblast]

Think we may go through this again this year with our current situation.

[@vixster181]

Im so glad that crippling inflation and unaffordable bills are a thing of the past. Thanks UK government!

[@user-wt8nk9xc8m]

Just wish somebody could tell me how to survive as a pensioner with disabilities. Tried all the helplines, they just don't work.

[@mrdarcy9379]

It's terrible that the government doesn't help pay for the cost of insulation in the home's and flats. Especially government home's. Because this would keep the heat in and prevent black mold. It's a no brainer! Shame on government's doing nothing to solve hyperthermia 50 year's on from this video.

[@Rob_Walker.]

Conservative gave a thumbs down

[@selfraisingsugar898]

Lol where is all of the normal people saying they miss the old days and everything was better before? Hmmm..

[@rudbel88]

never understand this english electricity on a card or coins - how bizzare , i have never lived or rent in england a house when you have to pay by coins - still in these days english houses has electrity on card - how bacwards , i live in old cottage our bills are 50 pounds for everythink during the winter 70 , i never switch off heating in winter is 24 hours , my bills are the lowest

[@stephenholmes1036]

Lucky you

[@bsasteve]

thatcher/tory government

[@itsweb1584]

The good old days so many old people talk about…

[@user-pd7ki5qs5i]

Today's old people were in their 30s or 40s back in 1985. The old people in 1985 are mostly dead by now.

[@lisatruthful1369]

Poor lady Disgrace the lot of them We are natives of this Country before the Crown. "Civics" slaves Time is near. YAH Bless All

[@bob23301]

This is what is coming these next few winters thanks to 12 years of tory rule here in the UK.

[@davidkennedy8929]

Don’t kid yourself, labour is just as bad, this sort of thing has been happening for decades.

[@TrueBrit1]

Very sad, and I bet all those that died that year have had their cause of death changed to COVID in the last few months..................................

[@RandomIndividual01480]

I would advise everybody facing high heating bills to try a different heating regime. The method is more effective with gas heating but should produce similar results with electric heating too. You will need a mechanic timer to achieve the result. Setting your boiler's controls to fire up for 15 minutes (1 pin on) every hour (3 pins off) during the day and for 15 pins every 2-3 hours during the night makes the house warm all the time and takes less energy to heat up overall. (This method is even more effective with underfloor heating). I would suggest you give it a try for a week/month (take meter readings before and after) and compare the results.

[@amyamy1897]

Who do you work for the government prices going up 4 times a year including the standing charge will break a lot of families the future is bleak and turning down the heating is not the answer scrap the standing charge on the 2 meters witch is a daily charge scrape the vat on energy bills lower it also on food and change the people in charge of this chaos will be a start and it will also reduce the early deaths of people because of these policies

[@elzaaltmann]

Something to be said about living in the tropics.

[@cococornhuskyy]

ah yes, and land of parasites. everywhere has a tradeoff

[@jennifersivewright3117]

These days a lot of old people, like my mother in law, are in a care home with nothing to worry about. She’s using up any chance of her disabled son being able to not struggle now he is a pensioner

[@biographicaldrama3248]

could be dying from the cold because they cannot afford to heat their homes.(Not "hear" their homes)

[@sandralauzon9416]

Why aren't pensions AUTOMATICALLY deposired into their accounts? No line ups.

[@leenevin8451]

Wasn’t it cash then?

[@minnie5301]

So this guy has said put up and shut up

[@admiralcraddock464]

Poor pensioners are becoming a thing of the past, Gone are the days when a 65yr old would be worn out and penniless when he retired. I'm 66 and am fortunate in that I'm healthy and work full-time in a job I like. My children have gone and a mortgage long forgotten. On top of my decent wage i get the maximum state pension and don't pay any NI contributions. Oh and I just got the winter fuel payment of £200. Where i work they have reserved days for pensioners to come in and buy products from the factory shop. Every one of them will come in driving a new car, and good luck to them they've earned it.

[@justintime1307]

Your obviously better off than others. Many have absolutely nothing. Your idea that this is a thing of the past is either misguided or you have absolutely no idea how the other half live.

[@admiralcraddock464]

if you read my last post correctly you'd have seen they are becoming a thing of the PAST. most now would have been enrolled in a company pension and be receiving a reasonable income. if they were penniless how come so many retire at 60 or even earlier. my dad retired ad 60 25 years ago and had a decent pension from Ford, my wife's mum was a hospital cleaner and retired 30 years ago and spent many years on cruises. I agree that there are those who do struggle but they are declining in their number.

[@combatduckie]

penioneers should automatically get free heating, as people on welfare get it free!

[@sandrafinbar]

Do they ?

[@susanleitch8649]

I don't think they do, you know. Try finding out the facts before posting such rubbish.

[@balthiersgirl2658]

Funny Tory's were in no 10 then too

[@Liverpoolboy01]

What’s changed, it’s got a damn sight worse, Tories rule!

[@mistersquare7327]

hahaha , and this is the so called 1st world?-)

[@burly636]

Now it’s 2024 in the United States tent cities are all over the place. Old people are homeless because they can’t afford rent on their Social Security. How did Social Security become a sole Income that someone has to survive on? I get more Social Security than many people, but I still couldn’t live on it. A lot of women are living in cars and vans, and if they don’t have that they have the streets. 😢😢😢😢

[@maxasaurus3008]

Have to pinch the leccy luv.

[@richardwager283]

First

[@felix_five]

Your family must be so proud of your achievement.

[@richardwager283]

@Scumfuck McDoucheface but where is Basshead 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

U r the new basshead😉😉

[@jeshkam]

@@richardwager283 Basshead died peacefully last Sunday...

[@simonba9944]

🏅👍🏻

[@runoflife87]

This is what pure liberalism looks like.

[@terrancedactielle5460]

Who is using the family brain cell today?

[@andrewhinksman4286]

Not this person

[@EgoShredder]

Exactly and C19 is more evidence that the masses want ever more top down control and their backsides wiping for them. As individuals we have lost all the skills of our ancestors, to build our homes, source water, grow food, own and maintain livestock, chop wood and build fires, make weapons etc. At the moment the lefty liberals are falling right into the hands of those working to bring in digital feudalism, a.k.a. the Technocracy via United Nations Agenda 21 and 2030. The World Economic Forum's own promotional videos proudly proclaim, "you will own nothing and be happy about it".

[@EgoShredder]

@Minix Tvbox Go a few levels deeper for the real culprits. It's not a Tory or Labour thing, its a certain race / group of people we failed to purge from our nations prior to WW1 and WW2.

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

Mosley would have never let this happened.

[@mrmajeika6101]

Sure fascists are renowned for their care for the elderly and poor.

[@DBIVUK]

Mosley was a youth-obsessed, fitter-nation nut who attacked his opponents as "the old gang". You'll struggle to find any mention of concern for pensioners in his writings.

[@wokeeye6441]

I am surprised you know who Sir Oswald Mosely is.

[@TriStarIII]

Wasnt it that they had to subsidize the mines through 1985, is that where all the money went? Do they still use electricity for heating in Britain thats bonkers, expensive anywhere!! The relics of Britains socialist past, horrible.

[@Liverpoolboy01]

Oh shut up !

[@buddha1736]

I have never seen a poor pensioner in my life, they always get above inflation pay rises, heating allowances, trust me pensioners do bloody well out of this country, and I gotta work until I drop to pay for them now, my baby boomer neighbor retired at 50 lol. 😂

[@andrewhinksman4286]

What a load of bull get real maybe your looking in the wrong place

[@buddha1736]

@@andrewhinksman4286 No pal it’s facts we are the only generation that will be worse off than our parents as well.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Retired at 50 because he's probably been working since 14

[@TheStevenWhiting]

And house prices where low back then. Until Thatcher allowed people to buy council housing which made the boom for house rise along with prices.

[@buddha1736]

@@TheStevenWhiting BT engineer I think 🤔 started when he left school had a nice job for life, something you or I probably won’t have, he also brought his council house for a 85% discount he said, something I could only wish for to be a property owner, now he moans about how lazy the youth are lol 😂 gotta love a baby boomer the worse generation in history in my opinion.