SO 'York leads way in ageism battle', where 49.6 per cent of unemployed people in the area are aged 35 or over, and of those who are long-term unemployed, 63 per cent are aged 45-plus (Business Press, December 18).

I wish the campaign every success, but must ask: what about the over-60s, when the majority of men and women aged 60 to 65 are currently not working and are effectively pensioners when over 60?

Will there be sufficient jobs to provide work for all the over 60s, when the state pension age for women is increased to 65 on a phased basis between 2010 and 2020? I leave readers to draw their own conclusions.

John Taylor,

York and district organiser,

PARITY,

Dean Road,

Norton-on-Derwent,

Malton.

Updated: 11:15 Friday, January 04, 2002