PENSIONS

IN REPLY to Jeremy Wark's letter (HAS, Dec 19), I'm one of his ten million "moaning minnies" and he's someone who has obviously been conned by Phoney Tony's Labour spin boys.

The winter fuel allowance is not a permanent payment and can be stopped whenever the Government likes. The free TV licence is only for the over-75s.

Work and Pensions Secretary Alistair Darling and Chancellor Gordon Brown promised a reasonable pension rise for April 2002, but that is yet to be confirmed. The £1.92 per week (sorry, £100 per year) they have so far offered is not until 2003.

Don't forget those pensioners who lost the married couples allowance as they were born just after April 1935.

Mr Wark mentions the drop in small car road tax, but what about the proposed increase in council tax and the suggested increase in tax to pay for that black hole, the NHS.

Yes, Mr Wark, I will continue to moan until the Chancellor decides to link pensions to earnings. The loss to pensioners under this Government far exceeds the gains. - AL Carter, Redcar.

I DOUBT Jeremy Wark (HAS, Dec 19) or one of his family is on a pension. Many UK pensioners are not as affluent as he thinks and generally they are less so than their counterparts in the rest of Europe. In Ireland, for example, pensioners also get free travel, free telephone services and other benefits.

The Christmas bonus has all but become worthless since it has not been inflation proofed and the winter fuel payments are going the same way. The minimum income guarantee acknowledges that basic pensions are inadequate, but the system fails because half a million do not claim it.

It's Government policy to gradually let pensions wither on the vine.

Mr Wark mentions the drop in small car road tax, but many pensioners can't afford cars or can't drive. They spend pensions on taxis to get to doctors, hospitals and supermarkets because they can't get to bus stops. They are unable to cope with DIY so they have to pay for house repairs.

Wake up Mr Wark - the plight of today's pensioners could be yours tomorrow! - RK Bradley, Darlington.

MR WARK reacted to my original letter, which was about the way the pensions rise was announced as a £100 rise and not £1.92 per week. Every rise in the pension is to be applauded - even 75p per week.

The Winter Fuel Allowance etc are all "maybes" as they can be stopped at any time. And can we see queues around the garages as OAPs line up to buy small cars to save on road tax? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

PENSIONERS' PARTY

WE HAVE just had the pleasure of being guests at the annual Christmas tea party for pensioners at Shildon Sunnydale School.

We were greeted with a cup of tea, sandwiches and mince pies. There was a raffle and a gift for each person who attended.

I would like to say a sincere thank you to the youngsters for putting on such a fabulous performance. It must have taken many hours of practice. The dancing was absolutely magnificent - I don't know how they remembered all the many manoeuvres. The carol singing was first class and we all enjoyed joining in.

This is the first time we have attended the tea party, but we are already looking forward to next year, and I will be sure to take my camera. - E Leggott, Shildon.

SINGLE FAITH SCHOOLS

ASHOK Kumar MP's opposition to the Government's plans of setting up faith-based schools (Echo, Dec 14) should be seriously listened to by the Government and his colleagues in the Labour Party.

His assertion that such a move will do nothing for a multi-cultural society, living together in peace and harmony, is valid.

Religion has a part to play in society, but it has nothing to do with educating children at school.

Mr Kumar's hopes for the exorcism of Enoch Powell will only happen when the citizen can see some responsible policy regarding immigration and the massive problems it is causing. - J Young, Crook.

BLACK CABS

WHAT a waste of time and money to hold a court case to decide whether a taxi is the right shade of black (Echo, Dec 11).

Newcastle Crown Court would be better employed examining the cases of real criminals, not making a song and dance about whether a taxi is black or dark grey. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

THANKS

I WOULD like to express my gratitude to everyone involved with the Spennymoor Settlement and the Darlington Youth Theatre Company.

It has been an honour to work with so many talented young people over the course of this year - their dedication, creativity and maturity offer the true reflection of the majority of young people today.

A big thank you also to the many others who helped and supported us on our respective journeys this year. - S Gibson, Newton Aycliffe.

LOST TOY

WE FOUND under seats 47/8, Coach B on the Kings Cross to Newcastle train on December 14 (arrived Newcastle 12.40pm) a cuddly toy: black and white skunk with 'Robin Hood' green and red hat on.

It was dropped by a family of three: dad and two children (girl called Polly?); dad with long hair tied back, who met grandparents, upon alighting at Darlington Station.

We have posted the toy to Darlington Station to be held there for collection by members of the family. We have also informed the Kings Cross ticket office in the hope of tracing the owners, or persuading them to. We hope you are eventually re-united! - SM Robinson, Norfolk.

DAVID BECKHAM

DAVID Beckham recently paid £300 to have his hair cropped. He would have been better donating the money to Shelter. - Aled Jones, Bridlington.