Wirral Letters shortpoints: February 2

Feb 2 2011 Birkenhead News

DOES M Hornby live in a dream world? (Shortpoints January 26)

It was the Labour Government who made pensioners’ lives easier.

Wait until the bubble bursts ... and it will. They are closing respite homes left, right and centre.

I would sooner forego my £4.50 to keep these homes open.

Dream on MHornby.

Mrs M Cooper,

Wirral

I WOULD like to point out that the cold weather payment of £25 per week does not apply to all pensioners but only to those who are in receipt of some kind of benefit. I know several people who do receive it so enquired myself but as I do not receive any kind of benefit, was told I am not entitled to that payment. I am, however, grateful for the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Name and address supplied

I WISH people would get their facts right. I am a pensioner and do not get the £25 cold weather payment – only if you get pension credit or other benefits, can you get it, then it is paid automatically. I know this as I rang Age UK only last month. So not all pensioners are so lucky to receive £25 per week. I wish I did.

S Edwards

Heswall

I AM also one of the growing numbers of retired pensioners but I have yet to see my payment of £25 for the cold weather. Is this another postcode lottery? As yet, I have not been informed that my pension is going to rise and until I see it I will not hold my breath.

L. Harper

Wallasey

M Hornby states pensioners have a permanent cold weather payment. This does not apply to all pensioners. There have been letters over time from small minded people bemoaning the fact of “how lucky pensioners are with their free bus passes, prescriptions and eye tests”. But most of us have worked all our lives and paid taxes etc, not like some people who have never done a day’s work and brag about it – yet get every benefit under the sun.

J. Barnett

Bebington