James Young has produced some, no doubt well researched, figures in his “Cost of freebies” letter, Echo 12/11/15, supporting the means testing of well off pensioners who currently receive the universal benefits tacked onto the State pension.

My argument against, is that the return from means testing the small number of well off OAP’s, out of the current total of around 15 million, does not justify the administrative cost involved.

Mr Young also states that during their working lives, today’s pensioners should have held past governments to account.

Our voting system does not allow us to hold governments to account. A skewed system that enables two million voters to elect 56 MP’s (SNP) yet another four million voters to elect only one MP (UKIP).

Past administrations, as far back as the 70’s, were fully aware of the impending pension problem that predicted demographic changes would bring. All failed to act.

Would we still be arguing over means testing pensioners if the, mostly American owned, multi nationals were made to pay proper taxes on the billions of pounds they make in the UK? Why do our MP’s not close the tax loop holes that enable these companies to avoid paying their fair share of taxes? If you make billions in the UK you should pay taxes in the UK. Not to a postal address in Ireland or Luxembourg. These global giants compete with the likes of John Lewis, M&S and Argos who do pay their taxes.

Perhaps, James, ending this massive tax avoidance is where we should be pressurising today’s administration? Maybe you could tell us just how many billions the treasury is losing? It will make the amount needed to raise the State Pension to one you can actually live on, without “freebies”, look like small change.

RODNEY BEST
Doncaster Road
Weymouth