OAPs left to live 'hand to mouth'

LETTER: I hesitate to join in the public outcry regarding MPs' expenses, and frankly I'm surprised that the recent disclosures have come as a shock to anyone.

However, considering the difficult economic circumstances many people are facing at the present time the public's anger is quite understandable.

The contrast between those in a position to exploit the public purse and those who are struggling to "get by" could not be more stark.

My wife works for a charity that provides an essential service for the vulnerable elderly, and they rely almost exclusively on voluntary input and donations.

Like so many of our voluntary services they are politely ignored by our benevolent government, and are denied statutory funding. Without wishing to sound emotive, many of our old folk are literally living a "hand to mouth" existence.

Compare this to the obscene excesses of our "right honourable" elected representatives.

How do they sleep?

A J Willetts

Craven Arms