REGARDING the 10p tax rate fiasco.

The Government mentions only two groups that have lost out - those aged 60-64 and those low-paid families outside the working tax credit system.

There is a third group of victims about whom the Government has kept completely quiet - those pensioners on a works pension.

Both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling said that over-65s would not be affected. This is not true. I am over 65 and I am affected. So are many other pensioners who now have to pay double the tax on their works pensions.

As we are not being mentioned by the Government, does this mean we are not officially recognised as victims of this 10p to 20p rise? If so, does this mean we will not be compensated? Can anyone help answer these questions?

Alan Hall, Darlington.

SURELY the removal of the ten per cent income tax band reflects badly on all of our MPs. Did none have sufficient interest when this Budget proposal was first introduced to calculate the effect it would have on the lower paid and bang the drum on their behalf?

JW Davison, Ferryhill, Co Durham.