[Margaret Pilkington]

Neil, I have to disagree with you.
How long have you paid those taxes?
Do you earn a living wage?

I have paid into the system all of my life. Drawn nothing much in the way of benefits(a bit of dole during the three day week......sickness benefit after a major op) other than that nothing.
And the bus pass allows us to travel on the bus without paying a fare at the time of travel, but I assure you I have paid(and am still paying- I am taxed on my pension, and on my small amount of savings) for this travel.

Hopefully Neil, if you live long enough, you will be allowed to reap the benefits of old age. They aren't many and some of them are a bit bitter.