Warming half crowns

SIR – John Stephenson (Letters, March 23) may like to know that the extra 25p paid to pensioners over 80 was introduced sometime before 1971, when it was five shillings.

It was intended to help the elderly with their fuel expenses. Now we have the winter fuel supplement but no one has thought to cancel it.

I have great fun asking friends approaching 80 what they are going to do with their extra 25p. Yvonne Chappell

Ashtead, Surrey