SO Hugh Bayley MP is interested in pensioners, while his colleagues tell us not to give money to beggars.

Perhaps this explains why his Government took my entire pension increase this year, plus some.

As a result of Labour's abolition of the married couple's allowance, my small occupational pension actually decreased this year.

Did Mr Bayley vote against this tax increase for vulnerable pensioners? Did he heck! I was given the glad tidings of a cut in my net pension while undergoing a quadruple heart by-pass in Castle Hill Hospital, Hull. Just the news I needed!

I therefore take this opportunity to wish Mr Bayley and his colleagues who did not oppose this tax increase, an early Merry Christmas.

John Simpson,

Geldof Road, York.