SIR – How can MPs justify a pay rise when they’ve introduced a bedroom tax and don’t want unemployed people to claim money for the first seven days. Pensioners get a one per cent increase with inflation at three-and-a half per cent – that means they get nothing and they are talking about taking the winter fuel allowance.

So I think MPs should have the same increase of one per cent.

After all, they can still claim expenses and claim money from the lobbyist and very generous subsidised bars and food and heaven only knows how many of them are directors of companies.

JOHN SHEARON

Worcester