Ref. 27267-03THE BUDGET: Retired engineer Ted Ballinger, 75, and his wife, Joyce, 76, a retired school cook supervisor, live in Linnetsdene, Covingham.
They pay about £930 a year in council tax.
Their monthly income and outgoings are:
Ted's income: State pension: £364 private pension: £140
Joyce's income: State pension: £356 private pension: £75
Living costs:
council tax: £71.52
gas: £20
electricity: £23.32
water: £15.60
food: £160
socialising: £60
car: £61.52
Mr Ballinger is sceptical of the Chancellor's announcement and believes the extra £100 will fail to find its way into the average pensioner's bank account.
He said: "We won't be much better off when you take next year's council tax into consideration.
"In the mid-1960s we were paying £38 a year now it's £970. It's ridiculous.
"Luckily neither of us smoke. If we did we would notice the rise."
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