It’s been announced that free TV licences & winter fuel payments could be stripped from hundreds of thousands of well-off pensioners to subsidise bus fares for under-21s, in plans by Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg. He tells us that the cuts would save £125 million a year which would give all 16-21 year-olds in England a bus pass entitling them to two-thirds off the ticket price.
The press also report that the Lib Dems and Labour are committed to scrapping perks for better-off pensioners. Many in the Cabinet are also thought to favour cutting universal benefits for pensioners at the election.
Yet Nick Clegg is in favour of universal benefits for the young: for example, free school meals, and free nursery places for all 2-year olds, even for those whose parents are well-off!
A. Wills, Greater London
Ed – Who do you think is the more deserving?
