THE CBI has suggested little or no increase in the minimum wage next year. This would have nothing to do with the market being flooded with cheap labour from Europe and Africa would it?

It's all very well, provided mortgages, petrol, food, clothes, gas, electric and last but not least the community charge don't go up either - but don't hold your breath, especially over the latter.

I'm soon to reach the big six-five, I look forward to a hefty increase in pensions -- any advance on 75p? And before some financial wizard mentions the Christmas bonus it all gets raked back in on the above items. Fair deal for pensioners from March, I say!

SAM SPENCE, Ribblesdale Place, Blackburn.