MARTIN McMulkin (Bolton TUC) berates the "wider public" saying that we should be ashamed at the alleged increase in child poverty in the UK.

He also blames politicians.

I cannot speak for the politicians, but recent elections indicate that the wider public do not think that Labour will provide the answers. More is the pity!

The wider public in the UK is probably the most generous in the world, some £13 billion of our money goes in overseas aid, much of that money apparently finding its way in to the pockets of corrupt politicians and criminals.

The wider public gives generously to international charities with the aim of providing water, medical aid and refuge for the world’s vulnerable children.

It appears that for many years those very charities who we give to, have been staffed by some people who abused the most vulnerable.

Sainsbury’s recently invested £10 million in Derby in a pilot scheme to try to educate poorer families in to ways of saving money and food by cutting down on the millions of tonnes of food families throw away annually.

Sainsbury’s tried to identify those most in need, but local Labour politicians said that it "stigmatised" the poor. Scheme terminated.

With 60 murders in London to date this year, the government tried to identify young people who were "on the edge" of gangs to try to direct them away from crime.

Some 95 per cent of the murders are sadly young black men killing young black men and the data reflected that.

Diane Abbott said it was "racist" and "stigmatised" young black men. Scheme terminated.

Martin is correct, of course. A new town centre will not deal with the problem of child poverty, but nor will trooping off to London to shout and bawl in the streets at every opportunity, which seems to be the default position on every issue with the trade unions and Labour today — "let's go to London and shout".

The wider public has nothing to reproach themselves for, Martin. As a politician and trade unionist, you do.

We are a wealthy country, we dig deep for the most vulnerable at home and abroad.

You need to sort out the politicians and bureaucrats who impede support for children in poverty.

Ron Shambley

Clough Avenue

Westhoughton