Expat pensioners (From The Northern Echo)

Expat pensioners

10:30am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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ONCE more, the European Court of Human Rights has really excelled itself in denying British pensioners who have decided to retire overseas indexation of their pensions annually.

That particular court seems far more concerned with the rights of criminals rather than those of people who have contributed all their working lives through National Insurance contributions. One more way that government short-changes its citizens.

Little wonder that the British public has lost all confidence in their politicians. Quite apart from the recent expenses scandals, they appear to be hellbent on impoverishing certain sections of society while making sure that, by hook or by crook, they will be all right.

Let us not forget that one of Gordon Brown’s first acts as Chancellor was to withdraw tax relief on dividends in pension funds. Whatever else, he is not a savings or pensioner-friendly person, and come voting time he would do well to consider the power of the grey vote.

Peter Hill, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.