THE 8.5 per cent increase was not the low single-digit rise I was expecting in view of the Government's announcement concerning council tax (February 25).

What options do I have? As a matter of principle, I will refuse to pay - but hold on, I'll have to go to prison. Anyway, they are all full otherwise how would people be able to breach the Official Secrets Act with impunity?

I'll pay from my existing income - I will not receive an increase in my occupational pension for a further 18 months, so that's out.

Got it - I'll get a part time job! I'll be able to look forward to driving to work (slowly, often stationary, on York's excellent roads). Plus I will be able to contribute towards extra parking charges. My earnings would help pay the council tax.

I'm warming to this idea because I'll also be able to pay extra tax and stamps and help that nice Mr Brown too. But wait - won't all those people in the European accession countries be flooding here? No chance - they won't be able to afford a house or the council tax.

But I could work full time to help pay for their housing and council tax benefits if they do come. So come on all you retired people - down the Job Centre and get a part-time job to help you pay the council.

Just think, when we get regional government, you will be able to work overtime and help pay for that as well.

Peter Bainbridge,

Hawthorne Avenue,

Haxby, York.

...P SOUTHON'S letter shows that I am not alone as a pensioner suffering the ever-decreasing bank balance (February 20).

Like P Southon, I was employed with one employer (in my case for more than 50 years) and earned an occupational pension which I have enjoyed for almost 12 years.

This was expected to augment the State Pension, which would keep my wife and me in a reasonable financial position, without any outside assistance.

With a house of our own, having a rateable value of £137 plus, a family car and nothing owing to anyone, life seemed quite rosy. Alas, we had reckoned without our country's first female prime minister's money-grabbing exercises.

Changing the tax system from rates to poll tax and subsequently council tax, I, like many other proud workers, find our occupational pension gobbled up in the annual hiked-up council tax - Band E now £1,400 a year.

Thank you P Southon for your most explicit letter, showing the plight of very many pensioners. It mirrors exactly what my experiences have been.

All your pensioner readers should read P Southon's comments. Without some alteration in favour of pensioners, it's more probable that the queue in court will swell considerably.

Ernest Dry,

Ryther,

Tadcaster.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, March 01, 2004