THE government says you should work longer and that many on welfare benefits are capable of work.

Whilst there are people on benefits that could work, this is not the same as saying there is work out there for them.

Even before the recession, many people over 50 have not been able to get work. There seems to be an increasing intolerance to people with disability in this country. We are all working hard enough and rather than increase the retirement age, it should be reduced to 60 over a period of time. This will enable people to enjoy retirement and free jobs up for young people. If older people want to work longer, that should be their choice.

BILL BRANDWOOD, Liberal Party, Bournemouth