why is this allowed to happen in this day and age

paulyoung666 · 23-12-2003, 12:29

it really gets my goat to see this happening

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...957974,00.html

Sociable · 23-12-2003, 12:43

Sadly I think it's just another symptom of a world where "Shouldn't something be done about this" has replaced "What can I do about this".

Remember People like puppies are not just for Christmas.

If we all try to carry forward the more caring and sharing aspects of the holiday season to the rest of the year the world will be a far better place for all of us.

lemarsh · 23-12-2003, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

it really gets my goat to see this happening

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...957974,00.html

Regreatably, the Old Age People at risk are more concerned about paying the bills, than trying to keep warm. A sorry state of affairs for any country.

Perhaps as an encouragement, Gas/electricity companies could be forced to reduce the costs to vulnerable people (those on income support, or over 65's possibly) in the cold months - e.g. November to March.

I am sure that the majority of the costs could be absorbed by the companies, or if they feel (and can justify) that they cannot absorb it, there could be an slightly increased costs to other consumers (households & business). When you take the costs associated with this, the costs per person is going to be minimal.

Only a quick thought - but something has to be done. even if its an educational thing to the people themselves

paulyoung666 · 23-12-2003, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sociable

Sadly I think it's just another symptom of a world where "Shouldn't something be done about this" has replaced "What can I do about this".

Remember People like puppies are not just for Christmas.

If we all try to carry forward the more caring and sharing aspects of the holiday season to the rest of the year the world will be a far better place for all of us.

sadly that wont happen

well not as much as it should anyway

23-12-2003, 12:45

One of the biggest problems with the cold and people in this country is that they dont think cold is a killer. Do you see people out in Finland without a coat on a Friday night? Of course not, they understand the dangers.

Also not sure what the average age is of people in some of the listed colder countries, maybe they dont have such an ageing population as we do.

I do agree though that the elderly shouldnt have to be worried about putting their heating on due to the cost. I for one would support the government footing the fuel bills for the elderly a bit more fully during the colder months. But then again i know my grand mother gets here cold weather payment but she just banks it and wont put the heating on to spend it, i guess its hard to change people.

23-12-2003, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

it really gets my goat to see this happening

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...957974,00.html

I know what you mean, out of the whole article, the last sentance should be the one which everyone should read and take note off.

Quote:

She added that everyone should look out for vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.

This would help out SO MUCH towards the problem.

The flat where i live in Bristol, is made up out of a 4 story house, and in the bottom flat lives an 82 year old man whos family never come and see him. Everyone in th building makes a point of visiting him, to check that he's okay, and to keep him company, but we're all going home for christmas, and are quite worried that his family will once again neglect him.

I just cant understand how people can ignore anyone in their family, especially when every year these reports come out about the elderly dying when it gets cold. The familys of the people who do die (and perhaps needn't have) should be very ashamed of thereselves.

NB(paulyoung666- for someone who claims to be evil, you are a caring soul aren't you. arrrrrrrr bless him

)

Simon M · 23-12-2003, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

it really gets my goat to see this happening

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...957974,00.html

... and this is why it's always worthwhile checking on elderly neighbours and relatives to check that everything is OK.

It shouldn't be happening, but it does and the sad thing is that it boils down to money.

lemarsh · 23-12-2003, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary_580

But then again i know my grand mother gets here cold weather payment but she just banks it and wont put the heating on to spend it, i guess its hard to change people.

That is why reduced prices would be better than cash payments. Also, there are some of the more selfish receivers, who would prefer to spend it on 'non-estential items' - the one that springs to mind is a bottle of whiskey or a trip to the bookies.

Ramrod · 23-12-2003, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemesis

... and this is why it's always worthwhile checking on elderly neighbours and relatives to check that everything is OK.

It shouldn't be happening, but it does and the sad thing is that it boils down to money.

Like this pair.

homealone · 23-12-2003, 12:59

from the BBC report on this

Quote:

On Monday it emerged that an elderly couple in south London died a few weeks after their gas was cut off due to non-payment of a Ã‚Â£140 bill.

George Bates, 89, and his 86-year old wife Gertrude were found on 18 October in the Tooting home they had shared for 64 years.

British Gas said the Data Protection Act prohibited them from passing information on the situation to social services.

Former director general of Age Concern England, Baroness Greengross, called for a review of the act, saying many professionals do not understand what they can and cannot say.

She told Today: "At the moment it looks as though we're protecting data at the expense of people.

That is bureaucracy gone mad - no elderly person should be cut off from their only form of heating anyway - but to knowingly withhold the information from Social Services is criminal imo - no matter what the sodding DPA says

<edit> Sounds as if we are of like mind on this one Ramrod.

Ramrod · 23-12-2003, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

- no matter what the sodding DPA says

The trouble is that you ignore the data protection act at your peril. Another example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions...

paulyoung666 · 23-12-2003, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Like this pair.

that is totally disgusting , i obviously thought wrong , i thought wrong about people being allowed to be cut off , ok so they want the money but come on , i wonder why the judge allowed them a warrant in the first place , surely he/she must have knownn their ages

homealone · 23-12-2003, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

The trouble is that you ignore the data protection act at your peril. Another example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions...

It needs a review, though, or at least make sure the people affected actually know what their responsiblities entail - the destruction of evidence from Ian Huntley's previous is a case in point.

Ramrod · 23-12-2003, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

It needs a review, though, or at least make sure the people affected actually know what their responsiblities entail - the destruction of evidence from Ian Huntley's previous is a case in point.

Exactly!

homealone · 23-12-2003, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

that is totally disgusting , i obviously thought wrong , i thought wrong about people being allowed to be cut off , ok so they want the money but come on , i wonder why the judge allowed them a warrant in the first place , surely he/she must have knownn their ages

I should have thought that Social Services would be called on to review the circumstances of any person of pensionable age who is in danger of having their gas supply cut. Me being naiive, again, I guess