Labour vs ‘codgers’

SIR – Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, has appointed Sir Edward Troup, a former head of HMRC, as one of her advisers (report, April 18). He thinks that “codgers” – of whom I am one – should pay higher taxes and lose benefits. Why?

Millions of us have worked hard all our lives. Today, millions are not bothering to find work and are getting benefits instead.

I started work the day after my 16th birthday. Office hours included Saturday mornings, and we got only two weeks’ holiday a year. In those days, if we did not have the money for something – including food – we could not have it. There were no credit cards. When our situations improved, we saved what we could for old age.

I worked like this for nearly 50 years. To even consider penalising people like me is outrageous.

Margaret Wade

London SW6

SIR – I retired at 60 and am now 68. I worked hard all my life, and my wife and I made sensible – though not extravagant – financial provision for our retirement. We did this entirely on our own initiative.

Many decades later, those provisions are now repaying our foresight handsomely, and the receipt of the state pension last year was a welcome boost.

Why, however, should I receive presents from the state – free bus and cheaper train travel, free prescriptions, help with fuel costs and cold-weather handouts? Why does the state offer such largesse – which, of course, I accept – to people who do not need it?

Worse, why is it also given to those who have not been so careful, and have for years spent their income on transient pleasures?

David Pearson

Haworth, West Yorkshire