[MargaretR]

I spent many years of my 35yr career (DHSS now DWP) visiting the homes of people on Supplementary Benefit/Income Support.

The majority were in that position due to circumstances beyond their control (ill health, redundancy, relationship breakdown).

The current publicity is centred on the minority who are misusing/abusing the welfare state, in order for your indignation to be voiced (which it has), so that the spending cuts get popular support - it's worked.

The resulting cuts will affect all claimants - deserving or otherwise, and I would like to remind you that in a recession, honest hard working people can find themselves reduced to a breadline existance - you maybe next.

The privatisation of some public services has meant that there are now companies exploiting the unemployed and taking government grants for doing it.

Abuse should be the target for action - that includes landlords, 'training' agencies, and unsrupulous employers who are using the recession to exploit the vulnerable.