I read with interest Shelia Begbie's letter on annuity problems and as a fellow sufferer I can sympathise (Letters, February 5).

May I have the temerity to suggest she direct her ire at a certain former Prime Minister and Chancellor (Gordon Brown, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) who, assisted by Ed Balls and Geoffrey Robinson, his Paymaster General, raided pension fund tax credits to the tune of over £100 billion after 1997.

By reducing pension fund income this cuts the funds available to pay out in pensions.

Alastair Fenton,

Sandwood House,

Arabella,

Ross-shire.