I HAVE recently returned from a holiday in Northern Ireland and was amazed and disgusted to learn that, from April 1, 2010, Ulster citizens of below retirement age have been exempt from paying their medical prescription charges - the same as people in Scotland and Wales.

This means the people living in England are the only ones still paying £7.20 per item, unless they are exempt.

My passport shows I am a citizen of the 'United Kingdom and Northern Ireland', so why are we treated so differently in this country?

I happen to be an 81-year old widow (still paying income tax, I might add), so this cost does not affect me personally, but it does my family and younger friends. Since the election, all one hears about is saving money and making life fairer for all but where is the fairness in this?

Please do not tell me that the previous Labour government sanctioned this before (the coalition) came into power, as surely these decisions are discussed in parliament before being agreed to.

Also, why was this done so secretly? Not one person I have mentioned it to has heard of this arrangement, which makes one wonder what other rulings are passed without publicity.

MRS T BARBER

South Ruislip via email