A simple answer: since my twenties I had invested in two British endowment plans and two pension plans. All four, including the Friends Provident one I mentioned when I was on the distinguished panel of BBC ‘Any Questions?’ of 22nd August hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby, crashed to a pittance after I had invested for some eighteen years. Like millions of British taxpayers in their 50s I find myself with a pitiful pension and even more pitiful endowment. Over the past few years I have been disabled by a string of illnesses including breast cancer surgery in 2006. And before certain bloggers accuse me of being a foreigner who is sponging off the NHS, I have had BUPA since 1981 and had the breast surgery at the Princess Grace. I soldier on, am not on sick benefit or income support, and work seven days a week to pay my bills — though sometimes I need help from friends — . My flat has been on the market and I have packed it up but three potential buyers cannot get finance. Due to the breast cancer in 2006 I had to sell my small house in the USA. Life is hard and though I would love to go somewhere to end my days in the sun, I cannot afford it. Tesco ‘cheaper alternatives’ is the highlight of my week.
