PETER Drinkwater's letter (You Say, April 29) surprisingly fails to mention the largest and growing single group - pensioners.

The £9bn raised by the increased national insurance contribution will largely go to this group.

People in the first decade of their retirement cost the NHS twice as much as people of working age but, by 85, they are costing five times as much.

This is borne out of visiting or being an in-patient in hospital wards when it is quite clear on whom the money is being spent.

According to an article in Science, current projections on health and life expectancy are too low. There will be an even bigger expenditure than is forecast on health, social service and pensions.

This year's Budget will be of benefit both directly and indirectly to large sections of the community and will be looked back as a landmark in the history of the Welfare State.

Generally, pensioners do not pay national insurance. Their personal allowances are set to increase further next April in contrast to those of working age whose allowances will be frozen.

I have no doubt that we are on the threshold of major changes in pensions to reflect the radical alterations in the ageing population.

W H FORRESTER,

St John's,

Worcester.