I was interested in Andrew Glendinning's point about pensioners' Christmas bonus remaining at £10 since 1972 (Letters, May 28).

When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, I wrote to him saying it was a disgrace and an insult that 80-year-old and above pensioners are given an extra 25p a week on top of their pensions.

This hasn't changed since it was introduced in 1971 and would be worth about £5 a week if it had increased with inflation.

Twenty five pence isn't enough to buy a postage stamp. Gordon Brown knows about it and is stubbornly refusing to do anything about it. He doesn't seem to care about pensioners but makes certain he and other MPs do well with their pensions.

  • R Funnell, Lomond Avenue, Patcham