SIR: When a national newspaper reveals that a single mother (with three children) can rely on state benefits, rent etc totalling over £250 per week, how can Lancashire's employers expect to get workers for wages much lower than this unemployed mum gets?

Many already working receive wages around the £150 gross mark. With stoppages removed take home pay would be around £130 per week net.

Many on security work, cleaning work, catering work etc graft diligently for five nights each week for poor rewards. They aren't guaranteed their lowly income if they're off sick, but a claiming mum (like the above) gets regular payments whatsoever!

I don't blame people for not working, do you! For decades the system has been milked legally! Working is not worthwhile! Only mugs work! I've been a mug for some time!

Just a mug

(Name and address supplied)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.