G. Armitage (letters 10/3/03) is right to be angry about the derisory increase in pensions. The governments pensions policy is totally unsustainable.

The government finds it impossible to take a long term view and all we get from their latest Green Paper are weasel words like ‘simplification, partnership and flexibility.'

We are faced with a deep crisis in pensions, including: the present derisory level of the basic state pension; the lack of confidence in private sector schemes following pensions mis-selling, Equitable Life, the Maxwell scandal and the present fall on the
stock market; the retreat of companies from providing decent pensions and the real challenge of people living longer.

The Green Party in contrast will debate this week at their conference in Llandrinod Wells a policy which seeks to put the basic responsibility for pensions where it should be, with the government. In particular we will debate the need for a £100 per week Citizen's pension linked to earnings, the creation of a reliable second state scheme available to carers as well as workers, and an end to a tax regime that mainly benefits the better off.

We all want pensions we can depend on, and existing pensioners want a decent Citizens Pension now and as of right, so that they can live with dignity.

Philip Booth, Gloucestershire Green Party.