IN response to the main article in the Craven Herald last week re people living on caravan sites and not paying local taxes, having houses in Spain and living on “fat pensions” (Call to close council tax 'loophole', Craven Herald, October 14) - I agree that this “loophole” should be addressed but do question one or two points.

Hand on heart if any of us could find a 'loophole' that would save us paying any more taxes, etc, would we ignore it? - so its the system and legislation that needs fixing and rightly so.

It is specifically mentioned that "some of the people taking advantage of the loophole are retired police officers living off fat pensions”.

First I would like to enquire what percentage of police are on the various sites as opposed to other professions or do we find ourselves with a 'Retired Rozzers Retreat' in our backyard?

As for “fat pensions” unless you are of high status in your profession or work for the BBC, for the majority a better description would be “decent pension” and would apply to not only Police but Fire, Ambulance, NHS, Teaching, Local Government, Railways, Royal Mail, Military and many more and have been won and fought for over many years.

It would also indicate that having a “decent pension” there would have been a certain length of service in any particular job, that is 30, 35, 40 years.

In addition, to benefit from a “decent pension” would include contributing a good part of their monthly salary to the scheme and many will also still be paying tax on that pension.

Therefore being in receipt of a “decent pension” is it fair to criticise or comment on how anyone should use their pension that has been contributed too and earned.

If someone wishes to have a little pad in Spain, then good luck to them (personally I would rather have a hideaway in The Lakes) but each to their own.

M Pearce

Skipton