Dear Editor,

12.38.11pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Mar 2005

Michael Thompson describes the means test that elderly people must endure as a disgrace and a farce - I could not agree more. This is why the Liberal Democrats would introduce a citizens pension that would do away with the degrading necessity for intrusive form filling and means testing.

Currently 2 in 5 pensioners who are entitled to pension credits do not claim them. The same applies to Council Tax where many do not claim the help available and a meagre £16,000 in savings debars anyone from a reduction in this unfair tax.

Liberal Democrat plans to replace Council Tax with Local Income Tax would, according to the independent Institute of Fiscal Studies, mean over half pensioners would not pay the tax at all and 8 million would be better off.

The Labour Party election sweetener of £200 reduction in Council Tax is a one off payment - what happens the year after? The Conservative promise of a £500 reduction does not apply to household where anyone is under 65 and gives the same relief to wealthy pensioners as those on lower incomes who would not pay any Council Tax or Local Income Tax under our plans.

It is high time pensioners had a better deal and Liberal Democrat plans for improved pensions, scrapping the Council Tax and free personal care will give them just that.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven

Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate - Totnes Constituency

Staunton Lodge

Embankment Road

Kingsbride

TQ7 1JZ

Tel: 01548 854542