Social Security

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29146, 5 March 1960, Page 3

Social Security

Sir,—lt is gratifying to read that Mr A. F. Palmer now enjoys an “adequate income.” This is not all due to the Labour Government. As a retired teacher—presumably on superannuation—he knows of the increase he rei ceived in 1954-5, brought about by the increase of government 1 subsidy from £3 15s to £5. ; Hence, every eligible superannuitant received 25s multiplied by the number of his or her con- > tributory years. Mr Palmer , would have received, at least, the ■ minimum of £3O yearly Again, . had a new Government not been ’ elected in 1957, he would have > been receiving his “adequate” in- , come during the past 18 months, ■ for before the last election the then Government informed all ' and sundry that “next year” the , universal superannuation would be lifted to the level of the agebenefit.—Yours, etc., S. ANN. March 3, 1960.

Sir,—ln reply to A. F. Palmer, I wonder where he got the information that the means test is to be cut out after the end of this month. I cannot make out why the Government does not allow us old people to earn a few more shillings. It would get some of it back in taxes- I am afraid it will lose thousands of votes at the next elections if the means test is not abolished. — Yours, etc., 76. March 3, 1960.

The signature under a letter on Disarmament, printed on Thursday, should have been E. B. Miles, not C. B. Miles. The typographical error is regretted.