The sad deterioration of a Civil Service that once prized efficiency

sir – Apart from five years in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War, I worked from 1938 to 1982 in the Civil Service, first at the Inland Revenue and then in the old Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, starting as a clerk and ending as a senior manager.

In those days we had adequate procedures to ensure efficient working, to deal with cases of excessive sick leave and to dismiss unsatisfactory employees. During my time, we converted our huge system of paper records into a computer system, second in size only to the Pentagon’s, on time and as planned.

The idea that a senior officer could work from home would have been laughable. I am proud of my contribution and sad that things have deteriorated so much.

Keith Herdman

London SE3

sir – I read Allister Heath’s description of this country with mounting concern (“Work-shy Britain is sleepwalking into a doom-spiral of class war and decline”, Comment, May 5).

Am I really in a fool’s paradise when I see with gratitude a close friend being admitted to hospital and his heart failure being immediately treated free of charge, thanks to the NHS, which Mr Heath describes as “bad and unreformable”?

As he says, we desperately need more housing, but the vast majority of us live in weatherproof, safe homes, unlike the citizens of Ukraine or Syria.

Our care services need urgent reform, but it’s a complex problem. Finding the solution won’t be easy, but we do at least recognise its importance.

As a nation we are about to celebrate the platinum jubilee of a head of state who is conscientious and protects our democracy. Compare this with dictators around the world who wage brutal wars or indulge in corruption. And the worst vices we accuse our politicians of displaying are being ambushed by cake, sharing beer and a curry, or getting lost on the internet when searching for a tractor.

These are difficult times, but I feel incredibly lucky to live in this strong, vibrant country, with a generous voluntary sector and a free press that enables Mr Heath to describe Britain as facing “terrifying catastrophe”. Try writing that in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Dame Esther Rantzen

Bramshaw, Hampshire

sir – My electricity bill has increased by £80 per month. I live alone. I am a disabled pensioner but by choice do not claim any benefits. I am eternally grateful for the superb care I have received from the NHS.

I was recently notified by Virgin Media that the monthly payment for my television and mobile will go from £24 per month to £48.75. Just like that. I sent numerous requests for a justification, without reply, and when I tried to leave Virgin Media, its website was “unavailable”.

This is completely unacceptable, but what am I to do?

Joyce Devine Stockport, Cheshire