Sometimes it is best to marshal your facts before putting pen to paper. With regard to the views expressed by Mr Biden (Chronicle, Letters, August 22), when he writes about the Boomer generation he should have been aware that when I went to university in 1969, only 5 per cent of the population were fortunate to get places. Ninety-five per cent of the people he was referring to never went and therefore never got any fees paid. Free school meals were available for only 10 to 15 per cent of the school children of which only 50 per cent had school dinners. Again only 5-7.5 per cent of the school population received this benefit. and these people were unlikely to be the same as the ones gaining university places for obvious reasons.

READ MORE HERE: Letter - Mike Biden in the good fortune of the baby boomer generation

As far as people in their 20s affording a house, as my starting salary after university was the grand sum of £1,100 a year, one wonders quite who he has in mind. The vast majority of the Boomer generation got none of the imaginary benefits referred to in his letter and the points made by Mr Murray are also very valid.

Maybe if Mr Biden were to travel to a less well-off part of the country he may appreciate how many pensioners are going to really struggle without the winter fuel payments especially if we have a harsh winter.

 

Paul Bond,

Kingsway,

Chandler's Ford