AS AN ex-Lib Dem councillor and someone who helped out at the last election, I have become used to despairing of the Coalition’s attacks on the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

Council plans that there should be a disposal of their best social housing in well-off areas astounds me.

The proposal comes on top of plans to restrict tenancies and possible caps on earning for social housing tenants, as well as changes to housing benefit.

It seems that the Con-Dems are determined to create areas of housing that are simply for the poorest of the poor and the hardest to house.

This is dangerous in so many ways, aside from the obvious effect of dividing society.

Social housing it appears should only be for those at rock bottom.

I do understand that councils should attempt to house those most in need and there is a problem of demand for social housing.

However, there are many other solutions without creating estates of poverty.

Firstly, look at existing empty properties in both private and social sectors and the possibility of rent controls, so that the private sector becomes a genuine possibility for low-income families.

Tighter controls could be introduced for larger developments so that more social housing has to be integral to any proposed new building. In the long term it might be possible to set up some kind of savings bond for those in social housing.

MARK WHITTAKER Southfield Park Oxford