SIR – Ref, Emmerson Walgrove’s letter, (T&A, December 1), “Strikers not living in the real world”.

I hope (correct me if I’m wrong please, Mr Walgrove) that you do not have any children or grandchildren currently working. How anyone can think that all public or private sector workers in this country do not deserve a decent pension when they retire beggars belief.

If you join a pension scheme and make a financial commitment, that should be cast in stone and should not be changed. How can we ever expect our children to make provisions for the future if nothing is guaranteed?

Everyone should be entitled to a good pension. Maybe the answer is to take contributions straight from your wage. I pay 11 per cent contributions and the Goverment is trying to raise this to 14 per cent, with no pay rise for four years! With three children, it is impossible to save, so I am relying on my pension.

Think about the future – our children are, and all they see is few job prospects, massive debt when they leave university, no chance of getting on the property ladder and a pension that won’t even pay for the gas and electric. Oh and don’t forget, they won’t be able to drive due to crazy insurance premiums!

Now that’s the real world!

J Popple, Acre Avenue, Bradford