Report on pensioners' situation

I note with some distaste the front page report on April 18 of an elderly man who suffered a regrettable accident whilst working at his home.

Would you have reported on a young 31-year-old in similar circumstances? Of course not, and I'm willing to bet that the man in question, 71-years-old, doesn't see himself as "elderly".

Like many of his era, of which I am one, he is probably independent, self reliant and very capable of carrying out normal maintenance tasks around his home.

He is probably a little more likely to have injured himself than a younger person because although one can't deny the slowing of the body and the creaking of the joints - think of the experience that has been gathered over seven decades.

Is there really a front page story here?

Well, perhaps there is, one that should be carried on every local and national front page throughout the length and breadth of the land. Should your concentration be on his possible situation rather than his age?

Could it be perhaps that the gentleman concerned is unable to afford the cost of employing help to maintain his property? Is he one, of whom there must be many, who finds it impossible to meet today's wage rates on a pension that is reducing in value in comparison to salaries since the Thatcher years?

I, for one, a Labour voter for over five decades, am disgusted that during the time my Government has been in office, it has not addressed this problem but has exacerbated the situation of pensioners by raiding pension funds.

Yes, there is a front page story here and it behoves every editor in the land to ensure that it stays.

Name and address supplied