SIR – How can it be justified, not only in the present climate but at any time, that £75 million can be blown to compensate axed Whitehall penpushers?

We are cutting our Armed Forces yet this colossal sum would have paid the salaries of 1,400 squaddies for the next three years.

It was paid to about 2,500 civil servants last September- November, giving an average £30,000 pay-off.

It you work in a shop, factory or such like and are made redundent, the best you will get is a few weeks’ pay.

So why are these people so special?

BRENDAN ELLIS
Leominster