Letter: Labour's benefit cut

Sir: As a working single parent I, personally, believe there to be no choice - I work to pay the mortgage, the bills and, ironically, the childcare costs. However, I totally accept that it is extremely difficult for many single parents - those with more than one child, those with children who've suffered prolonged periods of illness, those without the benefit of understanding employers and colleagues and those whose rates of pay fall well below the national average.

Instead of the Government alienating lone parents, once again, they should initially have looked at means-testing benefit claimants across the board to reduce costs. I myself am eligible for pounds 68.40 per month, which, although very nice, is not necessary to my survival.

SARAH SMITH

London SE22