I WRITER to fully endorse the comments of W Capewell and can empathise completely with his/her sentiments.

I worked for 44 years, part of those as a single parents. I never asked for benefits (I wouldn't get them anyway, I've always been considered too wealthy') but I, too, still have to pay full whack for optical and dental care (my last glasses at £500+ were only afforded through the generous donation of a family member). I too paid tax for the second time around and due to a marked rise in my contributions this year, find my works pension reduced, but the bills keep going up! Where we have gone wrong I fear, is trying to live a decent, hardworking life and abiding by the principles our parents taught us.

This Government only seems to reward those who refuse to do so.

Mrs H Darby, Quarry Bank