Children are now hurt by austerity
■ Congratulations on launching your End Hunger, Feed a Family appeal. Poverty in our society is unforgiveable, but what makes matters worse is the fact that 4.1 million children are trapped in ever increasing deprivation – and they represent the next generation.
A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report states there are currently 14.3 million UK citizens living in poverty, an extraordinary 22% of the population (Mirror, Dec 4). The Tories, or should I say Cons, assure us austerity is finally over but who do you believe, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation or a bunch of bitterly divided Tory MPs?
The only way out of this ongoing nightmare is to kick the Tories into touch and enable a Labour government to repair the damage. Hopefully a general election is not far off. Bill Cook, Teignmouth, Devon
■ What has this country come to when we read one-third of families with disabled children had to take out loans just to buy food (Mirror, Dec 5). The Tories are so caught up in the Brexit mess that they fail to see what’s in front of their eyes – that children, some of them disabled, are going hungry and parents are having to choose between heating and eating. They should hang their heads in shame, but will do nothing because they are in complete denial. Jaz Robinson Wirral, Merseyside
■ This Tory Government should be ashamed of the children living in poverty in this country, one of the richest countries in the world. But they let it happen because they have neither sense nor feeling.
I do hope after the Brexit vote next week we will hear that the Tories have been defeated and booted out. Starvation should not be happening in this country in the 21st century. Michael Maher, Ashton-under-Lyne Gtr Manchester
■ Your Christmas appeal is for a very good cause. It beggars belief that in a rich country such as ours we have children who will not only go without presents this Christmas, but will also go without a hot meal. This foodbank scandal makes a mockery of Theresa May’s false claim that austerity is over. I’ve donated and I hope many others will too. D Berry Cramlington Northumberland
■ I recently watched Scrooge, based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 story A Christmas Carol.
In it, people collect food for the starving children. I believe this is known as foodbanks in this day and age.
Scrooge also collects money from tenants who are behind with their rent and charges extra interest for late payers. It seems little has changed in more than 150 years. C Beaumont, Newport, Gwent
■ The only way to put the Tories’ foodbank shame right is to get rid of this ruinous Government once and for all. We need a new system to run Britain efficiently and fairly. One where people in genuine need can be looked after without the fear and shame of being called a scrounger or having to visit the foodbank. We also need proper, dignified jobs that pay a living wage.
S Smith
North London
■ Many of those struggling to make ends meet are in work, some working two jobs.
It is the zero hours jobs and housing crisis which are causing such awful hardship.
Diane Hughes via Mirror.co.uk