Letter: State Pensions

THIS IS the European year of the elderly. From 6 April the British single basic rate state pension increases to pounds 56.10 per week, a rise of pounds 1.95. A married couple will receive pounds 89.80, a rise of pounds 3.10. Many Europeans enjoy substantially higher basic rate state retirement pensions, with Germany boasting pounds 110 and pounds 150 respectively. How can we justify mass poverty among our own retired?

M Thompson, Brixham, Devon