I REFER to the letters published on September 19 entitled ‘Disillusioned constituent’.

Blaming the present government for ‘writing off £329 million due to paperwork, errors and fraudulent claims’ has been entirely misdirected. The Conservative government failed to do this during and after their efforts to support businesses through the pandemic.

Stemming from the report by the NAC (National Audit Office) at the time, Dame Meg Hillier MP, chair of the PAC (Political Action Committee) at the time, commented: “Government moved at speed to provide grants to businesses to support the high street during the pandemic.

“However, in doing so an estimated £1.1bn was lost to fraud and error, and to date only 1% of this has been recovered.”

Since then the Conservatives failed to retrieve any significant amount leaving the situation for the next government (Labour) to resolve.

I can understand why people are unhappy with the government’s decision to withdraw the WFA (Winter Fuel Allowance) but let’s not present spurious reasons for this.

The Conservative government left a debt of £22bn which Labour inherited, and, as a consequence, tough decisions must be made.

Additionally, with respect, I would like to remind readers that the Labour government have only been in power for nine weeks and have, in order to retain teachers, nurses, doctors and essential railway workers given them fairer salary increases.

More positive things will come.

I suggest we give the government a chance before we bombard them with criticism.

Paul Howe
Osborne Road