We at PRSD towers have been moaning recently (in an appropriately lefty way,of course) about how we’ve all got soooo much money, and how do we buy Christmas presents for each other when we’re all soooo rich.
In fact, some of us are even considering buying goats (GOATS!!) for ickle African kids cos we’re so achingly right-on – ie, decadent as fuck.
So, we were grateful for the reminder that buying gifts for grandkids or chums this Christmas is going to be pretty much impossible for many people living in care homes in the People’s Republic.
Nationally, 260,000 care home residents get by on a Personal Expenses Allowance of just £19.60 a week.
This allowance is sposed to cover personal stuff such as togs, transport and toiletries – but it doesn’t even cover basic necessities, let alone Christmas prezzies.
While the average citizen of the People’s Republic is expected to spend £3,781 this year on gifts, an older person would have use a whole month’s Personal Expenses Allowance to afford this year’s must-have child’s present, a Roboreptile (whatever that is).
Which is why Age Concern is calling for the allowance to be raised to £40. It would cost just £275 million a year (a snip!) and is one of the simplest ways the Government can help some of the poorest in society retain some chuffing dignity. Yeah, that old thing.
The last month has been dominated by the parliamentary debate about welfare reform, and it has been tempting to see this as – finally – a big and public debate about poverty.
The People's Republic of South Devon is part of the not-for-profit media social enterprise News and Media Republic. We survive entirely on donations and advertising.
If you like what we do, help us keep doing it. If not, help us make it better (suggested donation 40p)
Giving up the goats
By PRSD, on Thursday, December 14, 2006
We at PRSD towers have been moaning recently (in an appropriately lefty way,of course) about how we’ve all got soooo much money, and how do we buy Christmas presents for each other when we’re all soooo rich.
In fact, some of us are even considering buying goats (GOATS!!) for ickle African kids cos we’re so achingly right-on – ie, decadent as fuck.
So, we were grateful for the reminder that buying gifts for grandkids or chums this Christmas is going to be pretty much impossible for many people living in care homes in the People’s Republic.
Nationally, 260,000 care home residents get by on a Personal Expenses Allowance of just £19.60 a week.
This allowance is sposed to cover personal stuff such as togs, transport and toiletries – but it doesn’t even cover basic necessities, let alone Christmas prezzies.
While the average citizen of the People’s Republic is expected to spend £3,781 this year on gifts, an older person would have use a whole month’s Personal Expenses Allowance to afford this year’s must-have child’s present, a Roboreptile (whatever that is).
Which is why Age Concern is calling for the allowance to be raised to £40. It would cost just £275 million a year (a snip!) and is one of the simplest ways the Government can help some of the poorest in society retain some chuffing dignity. Yeah, that old thing.
Posted by Thin White Duke
Related posts:
PRSD is the name for our Staff Writers here at the People's Republic of South Devon. If you'd like to become a staff, or named, writer drop us a line.
|
Email | 
Print | 
Get email updates