By Wendy Brown

Last updated 11:34, Monday, 28 April 2008

Dear Gordon, I enclose herewith full details of my bank account – including my small savings – my debit card, my post office account with which you will be able to draw my weekly state pension, my house and car policies, my utility bills (hope there will be enough to cover them) – oh, and my bus pass.

I shan’t be needing it any more – no point going anywhere if you can’t afford to do anything when you get there.

Like millions of other pensioners, I am now ready to throw in the towel. Like many others I worked all my life, brought up four children, never claimed benefits and tried to save a little for retirement. And what a mistake that was!

Had I languished at home, had a few more children and pretended to have a bad back, I would now be reaping the benefits.

I would be able to claim pension credit, housing benefit and many other concessions. I might even get help with utility bills.

I would not be struggling to cope with the alarmingly increasing gas, electricity and water prices. I would not be fighting with the Inland Revenue which seems determined to claim back every last penny of my pension.

I would be able – having recently downsized – to help my children financially. But no – one way or another – you will strip me of all I have.

There is no way I shall encourage my children to embark on a pension scheme. They do not pay.

My children all – despite having very good educations – have lower paid jobs and barely manage to pay their bills. However, they have never been dependent on benefits.

One of them, disheartened by this country, is now emigrating to Canada in hope of a better life. What a sad state of affairs. My advice to my children: “Pay your way and, if there is anything left over, go out and spend it!”

PS: I am also enclosing my will as there will be nothing left to leave to the family.