WHAT an indictment on our country and this government’s policies that people are having to survive on the use of food banks (The Bolton News, January 26).

Evidence has shown the people using these volunteer services are from a wide group of the poorest people in our society, including people who are working.

Changes to the benefits system as well as the “bedroom tax” has seen people’s income reduced and, when people are already struggling, these changes are pushing people into further poverty.

In the past few years, both public and private sector workers have seen their living standards fall to unprecedented levels not seen since Victorian times.

While this occurs, the government gives tax breaks to big business and the richest people in our country by the abolition of the 50p tax rate and reductions in corporation tax.

There has also been a move towards the wholesale privatisation of public services, especially the caring professions, with care workers finding their wages and conditions driven down by private sector providers.

People would think this country is poor with the increased poverty and reliance on schemes such as foodbanks, but is not it is still one of the richest countries in the world, with the richest 1,000 people having a combined wealth of £450 billion?

While this government has targeted the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, the unemployed and decent, hard-working families, there has been a significant rise in wealth of the richest people in this country. Never has there been a greater need for socialism than now and a move towards a fair society, where people do not have to live their lives like this. I implore people not to accept the vicious policies of this unelected coalition. We all have a right to a fair chance in life.

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