Should OAPs be penalised for taking long holidays?

I’M ANOTHER victim of Chancellor George Osborne’s rule change. I have family in the far-off Commonwealth whom I visit in alternate years for three months at a time. I can’t now do this because if you receive any sort of benefit you cannot be out of the UK for more than a month. My pension credit top-ups and winter fuel allowance drag me into this ruling. I wrote to my MP (who sits on the Front Bench) about this, but got no reply. So I wrote to Her Majesty. I’ve now received an incredible reply referring to Her Majesty’s ‘deep associations with the Commonwealth of Nations’ and her concerns that — in my words — nothing should impinge on or damage that relationship. Her Majesty’s concern about the Commonwealth shines through her secretariat’s response — and, frankly, I wouldn’t want to be in George Osborne’s or David Cameron’s shoes when either of them next has a royal audience. Perhaps the Crown can see the awful consequences of this new ruling when the politicians and the Sir Humphreys haven’t a clue.

ANNETTE WHITE, Halesowen, west mids. IF SOMEONE can afford to travel to New Zealand or South africa and spend 12 weeks there, why are they receiving pension credit? this credit is supposed to be a lifeline for pensioners who can’t manage on the basic state pension, but it sounds as though the taxpayer is funding long-haul holidays.

mrs JOYCE CRICKMORE, marks Tey, Essex. GEORGE OSBORNE wants us all to live within our means. I’m a pensioner, living comfortably only because, over the years, I realised that the state pension was never going to be enough, so my wife and I decided to do without certain things so we could save and be able to afford them now. Working in financial services for some years, I found that encouraging people to put away a few pounds a month for their future was nearly impossible. I sympathise with those who now have to choose between their pension credits and seeing their relations abroad, but with hindsight might they have done things differently?

FRANK HiGHAm, Sandown Road, Stockport.