Funding the NHS

SIR – Theresa May failed in the last election partly because she ignored older voters.

Now, apparently, the Government wants to acquire more money for the NHS by making pensioners who work beyond 65 pay NI contributions, and by scrapping universal prescriptions for the over-60s (report, March 17).

Will the Tories ever learn that they should not upset their core vote? The NHS treats people of all ages and should be funded from general taxation paid by everyone. Dr Brian Wareing

Chester

SIR – The Conservatives are at it again. Instead of overhauling the tax system and controlling waste and expenditure in the NHS, they obsess over unjustified criticism from the Left and fret about being seen as nasty. Simon Warde

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

SIR – Raising NI contributions for over-65s who still work could place more strain on the NHS.

Currently, older people are advised to remain healthy by keeping active. Continuing to work is a way of doing this, and many people over 65 have part-time, lower-paid jobs in order to maintain an active and sociable lifestyle. The salary can be used to pay for occasional treats.

Should these people find that their salaries are going to be reduced, they may decide that it isn’t worth the effort and retire – becoming less active and, as a result, developing conditions that require treatment on the NHS. It is time to stop attacking the benefits which the retired currently receive and start looking after them. Steve Fisher

Kidlington, Oxfordshire