THE Tax Payers Alliance (Oxford Mail, March 3) appears to know even less about pensions than it knows about tax.

There is no ‘black hole’ in the Oxfordshire pension fund which, even in the middle of the recession last year, had investments of £797m. They are worth even more now.

We are proud that councils in Oxfordshire pay decent pensions to their hard-working and committed staff. We think it is entirely right that this should be paid for with contributions both from employees and from their employers.

A decent pension should be a right not a perk. It is scandalous that so many younger people in the private sector are forced to buy a pension from an insurance company, which creams off a profit.

The tax payer, in any case and quite rightly, is left to pick up the bill to provide for people in their old age who have not got work pensions.

The Oxfordshire Pension Fund is well managed and the actuary makes sure that there is always enough money in the fund to pay the liabilities to pensioners.

It makes sense to look after council staff so that they deliver high quality, value for money, services for the people of Oxfordshire.

John Tanner

Labour Member of Oxfordshire Pension Fund Committee

Mark Fysh

Secretary of County Unison

County Hall