Universal benefits of a proper welfare state | Brief letters

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Rather than chase after people who have not claimed what they are owed (Forget benefit cheats' - 23bn a year is going unclaimed. How do we get that to vulnerable people?, 23 December), the restoration of universal benefits without means tests, for all children and all pensioners, would be simpler and fairer. The better-off then pay their share through higher income tax. Thatishow a welfare state works.
Dr Sebastian Kraemer
London

My husband and I received letters from the DWP recently to say we'd not be getting our fuel allowance this year, total value around 300. However, the same department failed to write and inform me of my six years' loss of pension, total value in excess of 50,000. Where is the logic in that (Letters, 22 December)?
Kate Rous
Walpole, Suffolk