Monk Kevin McGrath Condemns Withdrawl of Winter Fuel Allowance.

Ex-Monk Kevin McGrath turned social worker has condemned ending the Winter Fuel Allowance for OAPs. The monk and his wife, have had to downsize and live in a small apartment on the edge of town. The monk and his spouse want to keep fuel bills minimal this winter. The monk talking to fellow OAPs has stated that many of them are worried about the coming winter. While others, find the process of applying for Pension Credit embarrassing. If you are found to be eligible for this benefit, you will receive the winter fuel allowance.

Kevin McGrath stated to Sky News: "Who gets to decide that we haven't got enough money to live on? I speak to my friends who tell me they are ashamed and embarrassed to have to go through this process. These people have worked all of their lives". Data shared exclusively with Sky News media exclusively (well they would say that!) suggests that many old people are concerned about this.

10 million pensioners in England and Wales were eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment last year. Kevin says he understands that the government has to make difficult decisions about the country's finances. Why, however, start at the bottom with the worst-off? This is a country where many earn some of the highest wages. Why not start with those or the rich asks the monk? There is an alleged £22 billion black hole in the nation's finances allegedly. This Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves this month is expected to be a tough one. Labour has made no bones about the fact that the country and its finances are in a dire mess. If Labour is correct, the Tories in their 14 years of power fiddled while the country's finances burned. Labour has to be careful though. Their tough budget could be seen as yet more austerity. Austerity hit the most vulnerable in our society under the Conservatives. One remembers David Cameron saying His government had to make cutbacks because Labour had spent all the money. Many will interpret Labour and its current statements as echoing what Cameron and Osborne said in 2010.

On a positive note, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner highlighted what Labour had done for the good since their election. She spoke about a new bill that will protect renters from dodgy landlords. A bill that will see our railways put back into national ownership. Great British Energy based in Scotland will rely on renewable energy like wind turbines that will bring down (in theory) the price of energy bills. She highlighted a new workers' rights bill that will on paper, protect workers in the workplace. That will further protect workers on zero contract hours. Labour is also increasing the state pension from next year. So for all the doom and gloom, some good ideas are coming down the track.

81-year-old Kevin McGrath has said he will have to apply for Pension Credit. The income that he and his wife are getting will not be enough to pay the bills. Many pensioners and others are often afraid to turn on their heating for fear of high bills. So, they sit in the cold wrapped in blankets or wear extra clothing. However, many rich pensioners who receive a private pension say they do not need a state pension. In other words, their private pension is enough to get them through. The state pension they receive on top of that is an added luxury. So, without their state pension, their private pension is sufficient. Going forward, we will see, how everything works out for pensioners regardless of income.