I HAVE noticed that pensioners have been given an increase in their pensions. I am the son-in-law and representative of an elderly couple who happily reside in a local rest home. Both are in their nineties and are still going strong, and yes, they both got their pension increases.

But, lo and behold, the charges they pay at the rest home have been increased by the same amount as the increased in their respective pensions.

The way I see it, they have been given their increases with one hand by the Government and taken back with the other hand by the local authority to go back to the Government through the back door.

This is a total disgrace and I am disgusted by the way they and others like them have been treated and discriminated against just because they reside in a rest home.

James Oldfield,

Highbury Rd East, St Annes.