IN reply to E Ashworth (LET, April 2) I agree money is not everything.

But in my era (which was one of respect for people, especially the elderly, property and one's self) many women worked because we had no choice.

We did not have minimum wage agreements. Husbands or partners did not earn big wages, nor as I have said before, did we get the different benefits people get today.

Indeed I remember getting family allowance coming in when my first child was 14 years old.

We also know that by working and contributing we were providing for the next pensions to receive a state pension.

You will probably not get a state pension unless you have made other arrangements, this is why women of today have to work until they are 65.

Eventually there will be no money left in the pot for state pensions due to some (but not all) of today's young people not wanting to work.

Mums of children who are at school should be made to work at least part time and do their share in contributing to the state.

I worked all my life in nursing and when I married and had my children I worked round them.

I may add I am still being taxed on my so-called unearned income. No doubt, I suspect, to fund the ones who are workshy.

So Mrs Ashworth is it any wonder that I and a lot more people of my era moan as you put it when we see some young people of today who should be working?

The Government does not owe people a living, but at the same time they encourage the 'won't worker' by paying them to stay at home. There are far too many people who are all take and no give.

H HAMER, Lowther Place, Blackburn.