WHEN one becomes a pensioner, it does not benefit you to have worked hard all your life in farming, the most important industry but always recognised as a low-paid industry.
However, one pays into the work's pension and tries to save a little.
I left school in 1940, the day I was 14. I started work the next day and only stopped working when I was 78, because I had to have a hip replacement. At that time I was also to
ld my back was also worn out and no doubt it would not be long before I was in a wheelchair.
In all my working years I was never unemployed, never received any sick pay, worked long hours, paid a lot of Income Tax and all insurances due.
But now, when I cannot walk very well and cannot get into a bath and need a shower fitted, because I have a few savings - which are less than MPs and some council officials get in salary a year - I will have to pay for it myself. An MP can revamp a perfectly good shower because it is a bit out of date and can claim the cost as expenses off the taxpayer, as many times as they like.
If I had not bothered about working, been unemployed, received a lot of unemployment benefit, retired at 65 and spent what money I had on beer and fags down at the pub, I would now be getting Pensioners Tax Credit, housing benefit and the council would pay for a shower to be fitted and anything I need for free.
I am not the only one in this position, but does it not show how little present-day society appreciates the hard work today's pensioner did in their younger working days, to save this country only to be treated as they are now.
M. WHITELOCKS
Market Court, South Witham
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