WHAT a wonderfully enlightening letter in your editorial of 15/3/07 from Mr Eric Skelding of Pedmore entitled "It's a raw deal for British Pensioners".

And it would have been even more enraging' if actual cash figures had been supplied.

One suspects, by simple estimation, that 40% of the UK median wage' would mean a significant increase in the current State Pension.

Nevertheless, well done to highlight the fact that all pensioners regardless of political persuasion are being short-changed.

One suspects, as stated, that to try and get something done by our local MPs would be expecting too much of them, it's just out of their league.

Tony Blair or even Gordon Brown could easily rectify this situation by making it their own, more meaningful individual " legacy", leaving all pensioners grateful even though it was their entitlement in the first instance.

There may well be a better chance if the Welsh and Scottish Assemblies honoured this Laeken statement as they have done with other benefits that have been barred to English residents and then English could tag along.

D Haden

Wollaston