Higher pensions
Sir: Commenting on J. W. M. Thompson's article in 'Spectator's Notebook' (9 June) regarding pen- sion increases, I should like to draw your attention to the fact that, at the time of the last increase in 1945, my pension was increased by 5s a week. Not long after I was recoded and the resulting increase to my pension was 2s a week only. So you will see that I am rather sceptical about the proposed lOs a week.
In 1966 my financial affairs were such that I decided to ask for National Assistance, and a member of the NAB called to see me at my request. I had prepared a detailed balance sheet of my incomings and outgoings which showed, that. having discharged such necessary liabilities as rent, rates, insurance, etc, I had less than £20 annually for food, clothing and holidays. Whether the member of the NAB could read a balance sheet or not, I never discovered, but he took no in- terest in it and because I still possess a small capital of slightly over £600 he informed me I did not qualify for National Assistance. This I found discouraging, and set about obtaining paid employment, but as I am now approaching the age of seventy-three, this becomes more and more difficult.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that I am somewhat sceptical about the new pension in- creases.
Joan M. Lee 2a Park Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire
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