Glad to hear criticism of universal credit

AS a Liberal Democrat councillor I am glad that my party leader Sir Vince Cable has now spoken out against the universal credit system and the problems it is causing and will continue to cause.

Supporters say it is a good thing as it amalgamates six existing benefits, but there are still others, including the new-style ESA and personal independence plan.

The Government does not seem to appreciate that many people do not have savings and cannot wait five or six weeks until their first payment.

I do not often agree with former Prime Minister Sir John Major, but he is right to state that it is a potential future poll tax and all that that entailed.

Finally, as an independentminded Liberal Democrat, I would like to see my party review its policy of replacing the council tax with a local income tax and support a royal commission into the workings of the legal profession. Richard J Kidd

Andover