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Letters

Wednesday, 20th February 2008

Spectator readers respond to recent articles

The state of pensions

Sir: A couple of weeks ago an elderly relative received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions telling him that his state retirement pension is to be increased by 44 pence per week and his age-related pension by 23 pence per week, a total increase of 0.34 per cent. The inflation figures show the Consumer Prices Index has increased to 2.2 per cent and the Retail Price Index to 4.1 per cent.

I have just returned from standing in a long Post Office queue, mostly made up of young people speaking foreign languages, being handed generous wads of large denomination notes. It is right that a rich country should help and protect the dispossessed. However, from the evidence before my eyes today, it seems that a pensioner who has paid tax and NI for over 50 years is not considered worthy of financial support on the same generous level as fit, young, new residents who have yet to find work and pay tax.

I feel I am in danger of becoming the sort of person I avoid having to listen or talk to.

Melanie de Blank
London SW11

Volunteers needed

Sir: Jeremy Clarke’s tale of service with CSV demonstrates its huge impact (‘Who gives?’, 16 February). Nationwide, community centres, schools, hospitals, homeless shelters and care homes for frail, elderly and disabled people are transformed by over 1,000 such volunteers giving four to 12 months’ full-time service. We are proud that Tesco now sponsors 20 a year at our local radio action desks. In cash terms, they are amazing value for money — costing just £10,000 a year to cover pocket money, food, accommodation and travel.

More are needed every month. No one is rejected. The nation needs their energy to ‘personalise’ public services. Volunteers need the chance to broaden their horizons. It ‘inspires and opens doors’. Jeremy recommends it!

Dame Elisabeth Hoodless
Executive director, CSV, London N1