MY wife and I take courses with Bolton Community Education Service. I am over 60 and not employed. My wife is younger but not in employment. We have both retired.

While I get a rebate on fees and she has to pay the full rate.

She is not regarded as a dependant, yet had we not chosen to marry in 1996 she would have had full rebate as she had a widow's pension.

I have written to the head of the service, but received an unsatisfactory reply. I have written to Cllr Don Eastwood, Chair of Bolton Metro Education Committee who has not replied.

The issue is simple, Bolton Council appears to either discriminate against pensioners with families or against those who choose to marry? Which is it?

(Name and address supplied)

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