Sir, - This cruel and counter-productive budget is dire news for people in Worcester and a serious blow to the Government’s already stained record on climate change.
The welfare cuts will plunge many people into poverty, and cause families to be evicted from their homes.
I’m deeply concerned that many people are set to face needless hardship as this Government continues its utterly unjust mission to hack away at social security and public services.
With cuts to support for renewables and with more money for road building, the Conservatives are putting progress on climate change in jeopardy.
We’ve seen yet another example of reckless short-term policy making that prioritises the profits of polluters over the public interest.
In Worcester the continuation of austerity brings yet more devastating cuts. On the council only the Green Party is opposed to austerity.
We need to remain principled and caring. Only through investment in public services and people will we achieve a fair and sustainable future.
LOUIS STEPHEN
Green Campaigner for Battenhall


Organisation is commercial
SIR - I UNDERSTAND that Companies House has insisted that Malvern For All [proposer of the cable car plan for the Malvern Hills] change its name to Malvern for All Ltd.
This clarifies the point that the main point of this organisation is commercial.
I therefore suggest that when the necessary changes are made to their website that the logo showing elderly and disabled people is replaced by £££ signs.
RICHARD EDWARDS
Chairman
Voice of the Malvern Hills

I trusted Maggie more than Cameron on EU
SIR - John Petley writing for The Campaign for an Independent Britain asks what is our plan? Our aim is for the UK to leave the political, judicial and monetary structure of the EU as well as the Customs Union and other Commission policies. The UK would stay in the Single Market by retaining its European Economic Areas membership and would propose to rejoin EFTA.
Whatever the result of Greece’s referendum its outlook is bleak. Its people are already suffering austerity in Greece’s NHS; infant mortality has increased massively, up 40% with the return of the Drachma.
The Euro is a political project to create political union, to involve more countries in restructuring into a single economic monetary unit. To repatriate any powers from the EU to member states requires treaty change. Mr Cameron appears to have dropped this demand.
The long-term aim is to change the UK’s relationship with the EU so that we would be in the same position as Norway and Iceland.
Mr Cameron’s reforms are not really about giving people a choice but a manipulative ploy to lock us into the EU in advance of major impending constitutional change of which he is well aware.
I think I trusted Mrs Thatcher over EU renegotiations more than Mr C, which is saying something!
WENDY HANDS
Upton-upon-Severn

White-lines vanishing a cost-saving scheme?
SIR - Where have the central white lines gone on Tagwell Road since the surface was re-stoned ?
Is this a cost-saving exercise or another hairbrained scheme from Worcestershire CC Highways Department ?
ALAN DALE
Droitwich

Message from PM: Ignore the plebs
 SIR - So new Conservative MP Nigel Huddlestone is ‘disappointed’ that his constituents don’t focus on what he deems to be the ‘bigger issues’ and instead clog up his inbox about the Hunting ban.
 I would have thought part of an MP’s role is to try to have his ‘finger on the pulse’ with public concern.  
According to the latest survey it is estimated some 75-80% of the country is against altering the Hunting Act.
 This does not sway our MPs however.  I
n the fact of obvious defeat, the Tories defer the debate rather than lose.  
This is despite the fact we were told this was a ‘free’ vote and David Cameron wasn’t going to dictate how his lot voted.  
What a joke.  
It seems the Prime Minister’s message is clear to Nigel and the rest of them.  Carry on ignoring the plebs.  And that is exactly what they are doing.
Sally Brewer
Worcester

There are some good people out there
SIR - I would like you to publish this letter for me.
The reason is because I, like a good many people, feel that this nation and a majority of its people are in a very terrible state, but now I know I am very, very wrong.
The reason being, on Monday, July 6, I did my shopping at Sainsbury’s St John’s at 9.30am and after putting my purchases in my car found to my horror, I had lost a very favourite ring of emotional value.
I returned to the service till in Sainsbury’s and left my name and address and phone number just in case, but really thinking never again would I see it.
At 1.45pm the same day, a young lady from Sainsbury’s rang.
It had been found and handed in.
Who was this person? No-one new.
Young, old, male or female – no-one knew.
So may I say, through your newspaper,  to Sainsbury’s staff ‘thank you’.
And to this unknown person, whoever you are, my sincere thank you for your honesty. May God go with you.
MR J C BUTTERFIELD
St John’s
Worcester


Government should leave BBC alone
SIR - The Tory government should leave our excellent BBC alone.
It is none of Tories’ business.
I shall vote Labour.
GEORGE COWLEY
 Worcester