MY wife and I are both 66 years of age. I was astounded at the news of our pension rise which amounts to about £1.30 per week.

This is about the same as last year. In principle we have got nothing for two years, because we pay more back in rates. This is in a country which is so called doing very well. God help us if we weren't.

I have noticed in the news that 'Two Jags' Prescott has not had a rise for two years, so he will be expecting at the very least 10 per cent. Ten per cent of £160,000 is a lot of money, plus all his perks.

We paid out pension stamps with a promise of good pensions in our old age. Where are they?

Ray Douglas,

St Helens.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.