I note the letter from Jean Glover, referring to the projected phasing-out of concessions for pensioners in adult education classes.

As a pensioner currently on an evening course at the York Sixth Form College, I must ask: what concessions are these?

I have inquired on three previous occasions for a concessionary rate for my courses only to be told they are only for those on invalidity benefit, housing benefit, or one of many other forms of social security to which I am not entitled.

Surely it either is, or is not, a "good thing" to give some form of help with fees for the older people without any preconditions.

If someone is receiving their retirement pension, as I am, plus any of the other benefits quoted, which I am not, their income will greater than mine, so this becomes a form of reverse means-testing.

Dennis Dumbleton,

Elvington.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.