Don't rob youth of job prospects

HOW sad it was to read Iain Campbell's view on the retirement issue (Debate, 4 July).

I wonder if he understands that for every person who works (even part time) beyond their normal or expected retirement age, there is a young person probably just having left university or school who will be denied a job as a direct result of the action of staying in work past retirement age. The number of people in work does not increase just because more people work beyond retirement. Rather the workforce remains the same but is populated by older workers at the expense of the young. If 10,000 people choose to work beyond retirement age, then 10,000 fewer youngsters will be in work.

These youngsters will have to pay the increase in VAT which Mr Campbell can apparently afford, and which they cannot, even with only a 2.5% rise, and will be denied an occupational pension anything like that which the majority have today. They may also have to claim benefits and will not have a start in life that many of earlier generations took for granted.

I for one do not wish to live in a society where we regard our young people as expendable to furnish an already sufficient income and pension. If you wish to keep your mind and body active, then choose unpaid charitable work - there is plenty of it. That of course means you have to think and use your talents to help others rather than yourself. I do it and it works for me and my conscience is clear.

Harry L Barker, Cheshire