I NOTE Rodney Best’s comments regarding the state of play vis-a-vis the Basic State Pension and his worries about the cost of means testing pensioners (Letters, November 3).
Mr Best mentions the old chestnut regarding taxes paid during and after an individual’s working life and the cost of administering a “means test”.
Income tax pays for very many things, not least the health care of the increasingly-ageing population, but does not/should not cover free travel, TV watching or heating for those who are well able to afford same. If in need, those retired should be able to apply for assistance as do all other sections of the community.
The administration is already in place and the funds released by stopping the unwarranted freebies would go a long way to helping those in genuine need.
Tony Mason
Portland Road
Weymouth
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