I'M NOT a politician, but the new pension top up scheme is said to give more money to poorer pensioners.

It is controversial, because some older people don't like answering questions about their finances.

On balance perhaps pensioners should claim all they can get, because if they don't it will only be spent on something less deserving.

Furthermore, I don't suppose any government will even think about introducing another scheme for some years.

So the battle for better pensions will be long-term.

And politicians of all parties are saying that the real value of state pensions will shrink.

We are a society which, in all age-groups, has poor, comfortable and rich people. Equality would seem to be a dirty word. Or an unrealistic one?

M NOTTINGHAM

St Faith's Street

Lincoln