I very much doubt any senior citizen of sound mind and Sassenach origin will ever vote for a New or Old Labour candidate of Scottish origin as a Chancellor of the Exchequer again.

He tells us more people than ever work in Britain so more income tax and National Insurance is being paid. However, he won't increase the basic rate of the state pension.

He gives no thought to senior citizens who have been prudent but whose savings are losing value.

Do not be misled by the £100 handout, a one-off payment to help with a council tax that increased by 14.5 per cent last year, eight per cent this year and is predicted to rise by 7.4 per cent next year.

Next year, the valuations of household properties are to be reviewed, so over-70s will see that £100 disappear before they can say Jack Robinson.

Spending so much on education, might well produce more super-academians than there are top jobs available? After all, there are only 600-odd seats in Parliament. The consequence will probably be they will go on strike because there is no work.

Oh dear, the future does not look so Orange.

-Roy V Hilliard, Portslade