GB News viewers have reacted to a leading campaigner hinting the state pension should be means-tested like the winter fuel allowance so more money can be spent on young people.
Speaking on GB News, the CEO of The Youth Vote Alexander Cairns claimed he is "fed up" with pensioners being protected when so many young people in the country can't afford houses.
Last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Winter Fuel Payment would be means-tested which means that older people will now need to be in receipt of Pension Credit to claim it.
Cairns' comments were met with hostility by GB News viewers who pointed out that many pensioners have worked hard and paid into the system for most of their lives.
A leading campaigner hinted that state pensions should be means-tested like the winter fuel allowance
GB News/ Getty
Speaking on the channel, the CEO attacked the £126billion spent annually on pensioners and said "choices" needed to be made, urging the Labour Government to take further action.
One GB News viewer commented: "They [pensioners] should be protected, these are the people that have whole heartedly kept the economy going by working year after year. The majority of them never had the opportunity to go to universities and the fact that when they left school there was no alternative but to find employment as most wages went to the parents."
Louise added: "I am a long way from being a pensioner, but my generation was taught respect your elders and do unto others...I know house prices are high that's not the fault of folk who are ageing and have more than paid their dues, where on earth does he get the idea that the old folk are getting something for nothing and robbing him?
"NEWSFLASH when they were working and paying taxes, their taxes went to pensioners also, but the agreement was that when their time came to retire, they will get a pension. He seems to think that you can get, without putting in."
GB News member Denise Fowle agreed stating: "It's not his money that pays our pensions. It's the National Insurance we've been paying all our working lives."
Labour's plan to scrap the universal £300 benefit has sparked worry for state pensioners who may lose vital energy bill support, with millions surviving on incomes of little more than £11,000 per year, unable to claim pension credit.
Another GB News member, Andrew Stinton, gave his opinion saying: "I too am appalled by Alexander Cairns comments and attitude. When I reached working age, I worked hard, I expected nothing, no hand outs. I just got on and grafted.
"Yes I looked at the older generation and thought they were getting it easy but quickly realised they had earned it and if I got stuck in, when I got to their age I too would get the rewards that is how life works."
"How does he think people survive in old age? Perhaps he needs to pay those pensioners for every day he spent at school. That was funded by the tax they paid, " another added.
Another user commented: "The State Pension is, in a way, already means tested by earning NI contribution years. I certainly don't recall ever seeing an "opt out of paying NIC's because I'm rich" box. Did I miss that?"
Alexander Cairns claimed the annual state pension bill was far too highGB News LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Chris, another GB News member pointed out: "He seemed to think that the state pension is a benefit, which of course is totally incorrect. It's a system where those working are funding those who have retired, but the point he failed to grasp is that all those now in retirement funded those who were retired when they were working and paying tax and national insurance. It's a rolling system."
Meanwhile, a few GB News viewers were in agreement with Cairns with one stating: "I absolutely agree with him.. Pensions and winter fuel allowance should be means tested. If you are retired and wealthy, you don't need it. It's simple."
Alan Kane pointed out: "I'm a pensioner but think he has a point. I have teacher friends, who retired at about 58, on half salary, plus the state pension to come later. If they live to 90, which is quite possible, their pension pot will be about £1 million.
"They have "earned" that? Really? I don't think so.
"One solution would be to taper back final salary pensions at 80, then 90. They don't need £40K a year at that age. Cruise days will be over."
Bill Barbour also agreed with the commentator stating: "Totally agree, anyone over 66 who has enough to live on should not get the state pension."
