The state pension continues to be an issue on the minds of correspondents to The Courier, while VAT, immigration and the need to remember Britain’s military veterans are also discussed.
State pension should rise to 25% of earnings Sir,-As chairman of Dundee Pensioners’ Forum, I wish to disassociate our forum from any of those who are supportive of the budget which can, at best, be described as regressive and hitting vulnerable groups on fixed incomes such as pensioners.
The Government have stated that pensions will rise in line with average earnings, a link the Tories broke in the 1980s.
When the state pension was introduced in 1909, it was set at five shillings a week, which represented 25% of average earnings, while the present state pension is less than 15% of average earnings.
As a pensioners’ forum, we demand that the buying power of the UK’s state pension should be restored to 25% of the average earnings in 2010, which would raise the state pension for a single person to £173 per week, opposed to the current £97.65.
Jim McAulay.Chairman,Dundee Pensioners’Forum,156 Findhorn Street,Dundee.
UK’s older people betrayed
Sir,-Pensioners have waited nearly 30 years for the link between pensions and average earnings to be restored in the United Kingdom.
Research has shown that, over these three decades, we have lost out by nearly an extra £60 per week on our pensions.
In 1997, when New Labour came to power, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown promised to end pension poverty in their first year. The result was a 75p increase on pensions.
This was a disgraceful way to treat people who defended our country in its time of need.
We have the lowest pensions in the western world and, as Jim Parker observed (June 28) we can only reverse this position through political intervention.
Jack Stewart.National Pensioners’ Convention.35 Potterhill Flats,Perth.
VAT rise won’t hurt
Sir,-While 2.5% on VAT is an increase of 14% on the current rate of 17.5%, a lot of nonsense is spouted about it costing every family about £400 per year.
An extra £400 would arise only for families spending around £16,000 on items liable for the full VAT rate.
As mortgage interest, rent, council tax, insurance, TV licences, books, newspapers, prescriptions, dental fees, domestic travel, most food, utilities and children’s clothes are VAT free, or not subject to the full rate, families able to spend £16,000 per year (after income tax & NIC) on everything else cannot be considered as deprived.
The extra VAT on a new fridge or washing machine costing £400 would be only £8.51, or on a car costing £10,000 would be £213, hardly deal breakers and, as many are now made abroad, might well be offset by the stronger pound.
However, it would be more sensible with a few years’ transition, to charge VAT on most of the above exclusions, enabling the rate to fall to 15% and to treat us as adults capable of deciding our own patterns of expenditure.
John Birkett.12 Horseleys Park,St Andrews.
Cameron right to limit immigration
Sir,-This new Government does not hang around and deliberate for 13 years but acts. Firstly, a strict limit on non-EU work permits.
Then they drastically reduced housing benefit so that those with large families will no longer live in luxury and have us pay the huge rents but will have to move to more modest accommodation.
Now we hear that immigrant workers will be forced to have private health care. This is long overdue and is designed to prevent yet further strain on the health service.
A Migrationwatch report showed that in 2007/2008, more than 600,000 migrants registered with a GP. Unsustainable.
Next on the hit list? A curb on the pregnant women who fly in to Heathrow and have their babies on the NHS.
Then, of course, those with serious illnesses who present themselves at accident and emergency for free treatment.
Then the foreigners with illnesses who have relatives here and give that address to receive free treatment.
The 270,000 student visas is yet another scam?
This Government is quickly acting in the interests of the British people.
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
Remember 51st Division
Sir,-I was grateful to read your article on St Valery. I have long felt that the bravery shown there deserved more mention in the media.
That rearguard action helped to keep the Germans back long enough to clear the beaches at Dunkirk.
However, a few were rescued after scaling down the cliffs using their rifle slings to help them.
This is where I think the Royal Navy deserves a mention because they sailed in, under the German guns, to pick up survivors.
I don’t know how many were rescued but my brothers Tam and Ron, Fred Cosans and Tom Henderson, a well-known builder from Arbroath, were eternally grateful the navy was there to help them.
With grateful thanks to the 51st Highland Division.
William Gibb.Scottish Veterans’ Residence,Rosendael,3 Victoria Road,Broughty Ferry.