Letter: ‘So the way to give NHS staff a rise is to take away winter fuel payments from New Forest ratepayers?’

SO the way to give the NHS a rise is to penalise the pensioners by taking away their winter payments.

We do not claim benefits, we try to manage on our pensions and meagre savings. So to lose the winter payments will be a great hardship. My husband is 90 years old, born in 1933, evacuated during the war. He did his national service and worked hard all his life, paying his taxes. He needs a new plate (false teeth) but the cost is over £1,000, we can't afford it. He had a cardiograph in Southampton hospital on 8th March 2024, but still no results and our doctor cannot be bothered to chase it up.

I am his wife and I am 80 years old. I also worked all my life and paid my taxes, never ask for benefits. The England that I knew and loved is falling apart – we pensioners need to get t o g e t h e r. Tesco is the best help to pensioners and we are very grateful to them. Most of the food I buy is from the reduced counter. A very big thank you to Tesco. I hope the Chancellor of the Exchequer is warm this winter, in her no.11 Downing Street. Unlike us and many others.

Teresa Scott

Hythe