Letter: Antisocial pay

THANK YOU for accurately reporting the happenings in a duty social service office ("Chic by jowl", Review, 7 March). The social workers in Islington and the rest of London might get a maximum of pounds 24,000 a year. In the rest of the country it is pounds 20,000 - pounds 4,500 less than a police constable, almost the same amount less than a probation officer, more than pounds 3,000 less than a health visitor, district nurse or a classroom teacher. We don't get a housing allowance, protective clothing or longer holidays. Most social workers work unpaid overtime.

JULIAN TAYLOR

Fordgate, Somerset