NOW we have had further confirmation from the Government that the new flat-rate pensions will not apply to existing pensioners.

Thus, in today’s money, new pensioners from 2015 onwards will receive £140 per week while existing pensioners will get approximately £100.

Surely such an unfair and divisive reform should not be countenanced.

I and many other current pensioners who have paid 44 years full NI contributions right up until retiring at 65 years should in no way receive a smaller pension than new retirees, many of whom may well have paid only 30 years worth of contributions.

I understand the logic of funding the increased pension by eliminating the bureaucratic costs involved with the present complex system.

However, to operate a two-tier system would mean continuing to incur the costs of the means-tested/top-up system for existing pensioners, thus severely limiting the desired savings. If the thinking is to save money and make the scheme affordable, then it is certainly at odds with the Governments loudly proclaimed policy of fairness.

Any increase in the pension level must apply to all pensioners – existing and future.

Tony Gregory, Millgates, York.