I LISTENED with interest to recent discussions regarding the state of the economy and how we are enjoying the lowest rate of inflation for many years.

This is something which I fail to understand, possibly due to my advancing years!

What I do understand about present day living is that the increases we experience in our purchases of the necessities of life bear no resemblance to the rate of inflation.

Although it is appreciated that the cost of digital cameras and other electrical peripheries has reduced dramatically, I was recently appalled to find that the cost of my weekly newspaper bill had increased by 30 per cent in the last nine months.

I wonder what would have happened if we had had a greater rate of inflation? Would the increase in the state pensions of my wife and I been better than 2.74 per cent we got?

If the current trend continues, pensioners will no longer have sufficient money to live in years to come!

Arthur Robinson

Rosewood

Westhoughton