CLLR Paul Richardson writes about 'so-called deprived areas' in Bolton. Does he doubt their existence?

The recent all-party report supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury says clearly 'Hunger stalks this country'. Inequality under the present government is now so bad that even established economists think it is holding the country back. Here in Bolton, Urban Outreach are trying to get Christmas hampers to 1,000 families in need (approximately 4,000 people). Deprivation is all too real.

If, in this climate, the Council's allocation of funding across the wards has reduced the gap in life expectancy and crime between the affluent and poorest areas, that is to be welcomed. I hope reductions in other aspects of deprivation will follow. With further cuts to the local authority budget this won't be easy, but we would be a less civilised town if we didn't try,

Eileen Murphy

Gorses Mount

Darcy Lever