MUCH has been written and I expect more letters will be penned about the plight and struggle of old age pensioners.

I am a 76-year-old widower of over 11 years.

In an age when we hear of people struggling to live on hundreds of pounds a week, a salary of £125,000 a year banded about for a council director, workers wanting 40 per cent pay increases, councillors giving themselves 46 per cent extra in their allowances, council tax being hoisted up another 15 per cent, I ask is 40 per cent now the norm?

Well, not if I look at my £85.88 per week old age pension.

I already have my new pension book with a 2.5 per cent increase in April.

I feel guilty to think that I will have £2.25 extra a week to lavish on myself well, that is not exactly correct as I will actually have less in my pocket with all the rising costs).

A widow friend of mine who has a little dog has received a premium renewal notice for her pet care insurance which has been increased by 49 per cent to £527.88 a year. Do these people live in the real world?

Sole occupier pensioners receive a 25 per cent discount on council tax.

Why only 25 per cent when households with a couple earning are able to share the cost and, if there are more family members earning, the cost can be spread even further?

It was reported recently that there are about 30,000 pensioners in Swindon a good number to form a PACT Pensioners Against Council Tax.

I am presently attending hospital for an artery condition following heart attack, heart surgery and diabetes.

Awaiting my appointment at GWH last week, I went to the restaurant to buy a sandwich. Two slices of bread, sparsely filled, was priced at £1.80, yet when I got to the till I was greeted with "£2.50 please."

I queried this and was told that it was £1.80 for hospital staff (probably earning much more than my pension pittance) but £2.50 for me.

This means my increase of £2.25 a week from April will not be sufficient for a sandwich.

IVAN E RICKWOOD

Islandsmead

Eldene

Swindon