Jane wrote: <If only the powers that be in 'charge' would actually see what is happening across this great country, if only they themselves would experience a bit of these circumstances, perhaps we really would be a great country.>
Don't think so. It's the same here. A couple of times politicians have tried to live on Job Seeker's Allowance (unemployment benefit) or as a single parent with a couple of children holding down a couple of low-paid jobs (because that's all that's available to them), and found it impossible. But it hasn't made any difference. When politicians are voted out of office (and sometimes while they're still in) they get paid directorships and consultancy work through the connections they've made, as well as a nice pension. So why should they worry about the rest of us. Tony's got his retirement home organised in one of the best parts of London. I think they reckon on at least three career changes in a person's working life now. There's no job security any more. Company pension schemes are being withdrawn, the stock market isn't doing too well for private pensions and people are getting into debt and not caring about it. Those who need help can only get credit at loan shark rates, and if they get extra help from Social Security (like to buy a cooker), they have to pay the money back out of what welfare they get. Help isn't targeted to those in need, so I get free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation because of my illness, even though I can afford to pay for it myself, but someone who needs it doesn't get it because they don't know about it. But if people like me don't claim it, these schemes will stop because they're underused. All I can do is spread the word to people I know can do with help and who otherwise would know it's available. (In the UK, look up British Gas at http://www.house.co.uk then improve your home, energy efficiency, schemes and initiatives, Warm a Life - energy efficiency programme for households on goverment benefits, which includes the lowest rate DLA - that's how I qualified - and even the smallest amount of Pension Credit. You don't have to be a British Gas customer). The state pension isn't enough to live on, so you need some form of extra income like interest from savings or an occupational or private pension, but most in their 70s and 80s haven't got that. It's recognised that it costs more to live as you get older, so when you reach 65 and 75 you can keep more of your money before tax (that's assuming you get enough to have to begin paying tax) and when you reach 80 you get an extra 25 pence a week (won' even buy a loaf of bread) DH and I are fortunate in that we both had secure jobs with good pension schemes, and we made additional provision. So that now we're both retired, we don't have to worry. I certainly wouldn't like to be starting out trying decide a career path, buy a home and have a family now. Jean in Poole To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
