SIR – I have always thought it difficult to include state pensions as welfare, after most recipients have paid in varying degrees of premium throughout their working lives, a type of savings account.

At normal retirement we expect to receive the state pension. After all, it belongs to us, so classifying it as welfare appears to me to be a misnomer. When it comes to the rest of the huge annual welfare bill there are two types of groups involved – those who receive it and those who pay for it.

I am a taxpaying OAP, thus I am in the latter group, funding other people’s lifestyle.

The Labour Party is the party of welfare, demonstrated by Gordon Brown’s previous government borrowing billions to encourage people not to work. The Labour opposition have voted against every welfare reduction in the life of the retiring Parliament.

The Conservatives are the party of work, effort and reward, creating nearly two million new jobs, 75 per cent full-time, while reducing the UK deficit.

Robin Hood robbed the rich to pay the poor, Gordon Brown copied him. Ed Balls and Ed Miliband want to carry on depleting middle England, if we let them.

Alan Chapman, Beck Lane, Bingley