Food, heating fuels, electricity and everyday items of necessity are all rising.

As my wife is also an old pensioner and we are on pension credit to bring us up to an amount which the Government says we need to live on, the last increase of £2.20 a week a few months ago, although welcome, didn't go very far.

The cost of the taxi we take once a week to the supermarket is now £16 return, up from £12.

Our usual order for heating oil is now a few pounds short of £600, electricity is increasing in price this month, food prices are up and we are told to tighten our belts.

I don't know how we can do that on a pension, although we are trying to save on electricity by cutting out toast in the morning.

It might not be much of a saving, but it will help a little.

With all the money that is being sloshed about by the Assembly, it's up to Peter Robinson to do something about it and grant us an amount that will keep our heads above water.

We are not looking for a life of luxury, just enough to get by.

I would like Peter Robinson or any MLA to try living for a month on what we pensioners get.

We are not like them with tax free allowances, able to employ family members to do dear knows what, all able to benefit from the Stormont gravy train.

We, the electorate, put them all into well paid positions. Now is the time for our elected representatives to give something back.

Up to now, no one I know has benefited one penny since our local politicians assumed the power to govern Northern Ireland.

In fact, it's the opposite, with increased rates and forthcoming water rates.

PANORAMA

Belfast