In response to open hostility by the Tory government and Francis Maude’s lack of understanding of the Hutton Report, the day of action went ahead in defence of pensions.

Mr Maude had insisted that the public-sector pensions were unaffordable. Wrong! The Hutton Report clearly illustrates that by 2060 public-sector pensions costs would fall by 25 per cent as a proportion of GDP, after peaking at 1.9 per cent in 2010/11.

Why the unions support Labour is bizarre, as Ed Miliband criticised action against erosion of pensions. However, the Blairites had already raised the retirement age.

As the Tories attempt to dismantle the Welfare State and cheapen pensions as much as possible to allow private equity to hustle in, public and private pensions are in a race to the bottom.

We need a vibrant economy buoyed by full employment with flexibility in retirement and adequate housing providing hope for young and old alike. Instead we have the ideologically driven loony right in charge motivated by greed.

As pensions are eroded yet contributions increase and the retirement age continues to rise, what will be the point of the pensions industry if many people are not permitted affordable retirement?

T Scaife, Manor Drive, York.