I am appalled that the media, the BBC, and the national press have not revealed to the nation the real facts behind the council tax increases that pensioners are suffering from, and which are politicians are prepared to hide for political gain.

When Margaret Thatcher first introduced the poll tax in 1980 whilst also cutting the national income tax rate across the board for all British workers, she effectively set out to change the way local services and amenities would be funded across Britain - i.e. from a much higher proportion of income tax, to a new form of local taxation.

To date local council tax has been allowed to increase to extortionate proportions, but where national income tax has not been allowed to increase.

LINK-AGE/COUNTRYWIDE is the only non-party political pensions pressure group in the UK that recognises this shift in British tax policy and is challenging it.

LINK-AGE also is the only apolitical pensions pressure group in the UK with a manifesto campaign calling for UK state pensions to be brought in line with Europe.

Our manifesto is also calling for council tax to be abolished and to be  replaced with a much higher income tax rate on middle to high earners.

We also want the state pension to be increased to £250 a week for all UK single pensioners, with a relevant increase for couples. We are also calling for an end to means testing, and an end to the taxing of pensioners; there are several other issues pertaining to all British pensioners.

Anyone wanting a free copy of our manifesto to send to their constituent MP at the House of Commons can ring on 01803-857020 after 6.30pm any evening including Sundays.

Michael Thompson Founder/LINK-AGE/COUNTRYWIDE.