Readers defend the government’s U-turn on winter fuel payments

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

U-turn or not, the government finally listened

Following the chancellor’s U-turn on the winter fuel allowance, am I the only person who thinks they have done the correct thing in reinstating the payment? Yes, it’s still fewer people who will receive it than did initially but at least the majority will get it.

While every other party scorns the government, I say at least this one listens and is big enough to rectify the error. Will it be enough to vote for them again? Probably not but who else is out there? Kev, An OAP, via email

Israel shows Thunberg Hamas horrors – but should watch it’s own

So, Israel tried to get Greta Thunberg to watch a video of the atrocities carried out by Hamas on its October 7 attacks in 2023 that killed 1,200 (Metro, Wed).

The environmental activist and her colleagues had been detained trying to break the aid blockade on Gaza .

We can only hope Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet will be forced to watch Israeli atrocities done for their personal benefits. It will be a long watch. Mick, West Midlands

Worried about AI? Try hackers, magnets and the cloud going dark

If human hackers can breach the biggest corporations (such as Marks & Spencer and the Co-op) or government departments, how much easier will it be for an AI-led hacking operation?

Presumably the government is aware of the need for a stable power supply to maintain cloud data operations?

And are they doing enough to protect us from EMPs – electromagnetic pulses – given China has developed super electro-magnets? Michael, Tyneside

‘Scrounger’ stigma overlooks reality of benefits

Rob Slater – who is unable to work because of ‘complex psychological issues’ – overheard a phone conversation in which those signed off for mental health issues were dismisssed as ‘benefit scroungers’ (MetroTalk, Wed).

He asks whether people would say the same if he was physically disabled and they could ‘see’ his problems’.

The problem working people have is that some work all month to earn the same as you get on benefits, then out of their wages they have to pay rent and council tax. People on benefits have more disposable income compared with working people. That’s the problem. Claire, Brighton

Thames Water is failing – stop the profiteers

Investment firms such as BlackRock reportedly want to buy Thames Water.

As a condition, they want immunity from prosecution for environmental crimes. This suggests they see the best way to make even more money is to carry on committing environmental crimes. They never pay for their crimes anyway.

If the government fines them, the water companies cheerfully cover the costs by upping water bills (up by 36 per cent over the next five years, nodded through by Ofwat). Thames Water shareholders have taken more than £10billion in dividends since 1989. They should get no more.

Thames Water bondholders have taken more than £13.68bn in interest and returns in real terms since 1989 – grossly excessive compensation for their loans. They too should be given no more.

Thames Water is basically insolvent.

The government can take away a water company’s licence for ‘serious’ poor performance, a criterion that Thames, and other water companies, meets by regularly dumping raw sewage into our rivers.

The government could easily and cheaply take our water away from
the profiteers. We need to demand that it do so without delay. Will Podmore, London