RECENTLY Margaret Beckett, the Minister of Housing, appeared on television at the opening of an affordable housing project.

But with the forecast of high unemployment, pay cuts and lay-offs; how long will they remain affordable?

Money shortages are leading to non-payment of council tax and mortgages.

Around four million houses are needed now. The Government could, and should, embark on a massive building of council houses and renovate public property that has been deprived of money for decades.

The Government offloads its responsibility with privatisation, with the minimum involvement of the public.

Money has been poured into the system, yet millions of people are in poverty – from OAPs to children.

People need security from the state, but their needs are not met. Instead a criminal waste of human resources and, no doubt, tightened belts is in the pipeline.

JD RICHARDS, Overmead Green, Blackbird Leys, Oxford