Fair tax on perks

The fairest and simplest approach to the issue of pensioners’ perks is to treat the elderly in the same way as the rest of the population.

The value of free prescriptions, a free bus pass, a free TV licence and the winter fuel allowance is about £500 a year. If this were added to a pensioner’s income in the same way perks are added to an employee’s income, well- off pensioners would pay tax on the extra income, while poorer ones would not. Pensioners would pay no more and no less than anyone else with the same income.

DAVID DOYLE, Worthing, W. Sussex. Why do young people have to be helped to the detriment of the older generation? I am 70 and am looking after my disabled husband, aged 78, and my 93-year-old mother.

I also look after my 18-month-old granddaughter to help our daughter and son-in-law with childcare costs.

If I stopped doing all of this, the Government would have to pick up a large part of this care. Surely we can’t be begrudged a free TV licence.

C. PACKER, Warminster, Wilts. I’D GLADLy give some of my pension to help the young — provided they share my aches and pains.

A. FLOYD, Tingewick, Bucks.