I read with interest your comments in ‘The Senior Moment’ re: winter fuel for ex-pats in your January issue. I didn’t know that this was the case and I am appalled that it is and that the Government cannot do anything about it because of the European law! (I won’t go into what I think about the EU). It isn’t just ex-pats either. I know of one person who is entitled to a bus pass and winter fuel allowance, who doesn’t need it. He is still working, has a pension, a car and various businesses.
His attitude is that he is entitled to it and the Government cannot do anything about it. While I don’t like the idea of ‘means testing’, perhaps it would be worth considering and the money saved could be put to a better use.
Trish Evans, Westgate-on-Sea
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Campaigns & Issues
Betrayal of the innocents: One third of authorities closing Day Centres
Expert Warns a Return to Institutionalisation for the Learning Disabled. Charles Henley, ex-day centre manager and author of "Learning Disabilities:The Rise and Potential Demise of Structured Day Services for People with Learning Disabilities. 1955 – 2005", in response to news that one third of authorities are closing strucured support services such as day centres today warns that one-size-fits-all doctrines for the vulnerable will result in a return to the dreaded institutions of the 50's.
News
Millions being lost to sophisticated new card fraud phone scam
A sophisticated type of fraud – where people are telephoned by fraudsters and duped into revealing their PIN and handing over their bank card to a courier – is on the rise.
Pay Your Way, the Payments Council’s education campaign, is working with The UK Cards Association and Financial Fraud Action UK, to raise awareness of how to avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime.
Competitions & Fun
Win a bundle of Little Miss goodies including Little Miss Princess and the Very Special Party
Hang out the union jack bunting, roll out the red carpet and sound the trumpets for the arrival of Little Miss Princess and her canine friend at this very British street party.
She made her debut in time for the Royal Wedding last year, now, to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, she stars in Little Miss Princess and the Very Special Party.
Reader Offers
You could win one of three superb weekend breaks in Silver Travel Advisor’s “Best of British” Diamond Jubilee celebration this month
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50).
A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
It’s time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this month with an amazing British prize draw:
Win a two night stay for two people at Flackley Ash Hotel , Rye, East Sussex
Health & Wellbeing
New pill gives hope on strokes
The first one-a-day pill for patients with an irregular heartbeat has been given the green light for use on the NHS.
Rivaroxaban is as effective as warfarin - the popular 1950s drug based on rat poison - but has fewer side effects.
Doctors say 900,000 patients with atrial fibrillation, known as AF, could qualify for rivaroxaban - causing a change in stroke prevention options.
Property & Finance
Falling Inflation Is Good News For UK Savers
The announcement by The Bank of England that inflation has fallen to 3.0 per cent, from 3.5 per cent in April, is a welcome boost for UK savers as 46 saving accounts now on offer beat inflation, according to MoneySupermarket.com.
Lifestyle
Learn how the internet can make life easier for you
Stocking up on the heavy grocery essentials was a full day out for Sheila, age 82. “I could see the advantages of doing the supermarket shop on the internet: having the groceries delivered, saving the taxi fare and not relying on others to shop for me if I’m ill,” said Sheila.
“But although I used the internet for emails, I didn’t really enjoy or trust it. My daughter suggested that Pearson Love to Learn’s Internet Basics online course might give me confidence and when she offered to try it out with me, I decided to give it a go.
Travel & Leisure
Bletchley Park brings the 1940's to life
The World War Two Home Of The Codebreakers Goes Back In time With Its Annual Forties Family Festival
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May
Join in the family fun at Bletchley Park on for its annual ‘Forties Family Festival’. In 2011, the event attracted over 3,500 visitors and over 250 World War Two (WW2) re-enactors who had Bletchley Park teeming with Forties activity.
What a brilliant paper! Well worth the money for the subscription or the bus to the local library!