SIR – At a time when taxes are at a higher level than ever, energy prices are increasing, made worse by the five per cent VAT imposed by a former Tory Chancellor, and Council Tax going up a lot on the premise that this country can’t afford to look after its increasingly aged population, why on earth is the Government giving money away to China in Foreign Aid specifically for Chinese pensioners?

The amount reported is £1.6 billion, yes billion, at a time when our elderly are being terribly neglected with local authority care homes closing relentlessly, putting vulnerable old people at the mercy of the private sector which is often sub-standard care.

Meanwhile, our Government is selling off the student loan book to private investors at a bargain price, maybe only 50 per cent of its value involving a very substantial loss for taxpayers, which will make millions of pounds in fees for their spiv pals in the City of London and big banks.

When will this country ever get a Government that puts our own people first? Maybe a chance for UKIP or someone to look at putting things right.

D S Boyes, Upper Rodley Lane, Leeds