Sir - I hope we don't see the usual uncharitable comments about the Food Bank and its users who live in luxury on instant mash, pot noodle and tinned jam sponge.

There have always been people who for a wide variety of reasons struggle to keep up, or who make unwise choices with their meagre income.

Even the government of Queen Elizabeth 1 spotted this, decided something needed to be done and introduced the Poor Law 1601.

This supported people who could not adapt to social and economic change, and it operated for over 200 years until the rules were tightened up during the Industrial Revolution, bringing in workhouses.

We've now progressed to the stage that our politicians speak as if they manage the UK like a giant Call Centre with exhortations for us to work hard, accept low wages, snitch on and demand punishment for the shirkers and make the right decisions at all times.

It would make a pleasant change if they could recognise that they are governing a country which, as it has ever been, is inhabited by all sorts of people.

Derek Fearnside

Worcester