DESPITE possessing formidable knowledge of the mythical trials and tribulations of pensioners under Tory rule, I would guess G E Rayner (Letters, Feb 3), has little practical experience of pensioners' existence under New Labour.

Last year, my 96-year-old mother had her pension stopped for two months then, without explanation reinstated at a fraction of the original pension.

Labour ministers Angela Eagle and Alistair Darling appeared little more than indifferent.

It took six months of the combined efforts of Ian Duncan Smith MP and Nigel Evans MP to get it paid almost at the level the Benefit Agency themselves declared she was entitled to.

Thank goodness there are still MPs with the integrity to act on behalf of their constituents and, on my mother's behalf, thank you Mr Duncan Smith and Mr Evans.

A SEDGWICK (Mr), Lyndhurst Avenue, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.