[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, however you look at it, there is enough to pay huge sums to despots in foreign countries, there is enough to pay into the corrupt EU, there is enough to give hand outs to India and China, both of whom have burgeoning economies....and space programs.
Priorities need to be got in the right order.
If the tax loopholes were closed, and there was as much diligence tracking down the fat cats to pay their share, then the country would be able to afford to allocate pensions that ensure the pensioner does not need the heating allowance and the bus pass.

I have always preferred to pay my own way anyway......the bus pass ensures that those on limited incomes are not socially isolated(which is a health risk) and it benefits the economy of the places they visit.

I am sure that I heard on the news today that those who,received PPI payments have done more to help the economy because they have spent this money(which they see as a windfall) on goods and services.
More money in the system means more money spent, giving the economy a boost.