PETER JEFFERIES asks why raise the pension age when younger people are dying earlier than they should (HAS, July 06).

Young people who die at an earlier age are a relatively smaller number than the older persons who continue to live longer. Projections say this trend will continue at least until 2050.

Incidentally, the obviously sensible reason for protecting the health of the working population, young or old, is that they remain economically productive, supporting those who are not, and do not make demands on the public purse.

Dr Abdul Jaleel, Darlington.