Vital insurance

I was surprised to hear George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, in his response to proposed increases in National Insurance contributions outlined in the recent Budget, say that NI is "just another income tax". Like every other worker in this country, he pays the compulsory contributions to what is an insurance fund, which is supposed to insure those who contribute to it against unemployment, sickness, industrial injuries etc, and to provide a state pension when one attains retirement a

A millionaire would hardly give that a second thought, and that could be why the shadow chancellor misunderstands the system, but for those of us who have contributed throughout a lifetime's work, the fund is a vital part of our security. If the Conservatives win the next election, someone might have to inform Mr Osborne about that.

ANNE ROSS

Maple Avenue,

Dumbarton