SIR – I write to once again seek an answer to a question that has been asked on many occasions – why must the rich be given encouragement to stay or return while the poor must be penalised to work or work harder.

The last two budgets have hit the poorest members of our society, be they disabled workers, pensioners or young people.

I’m a 77-year-old pensioner faced with the ending of the index-linked tax allowance from next April, at the very time that those earning a million pounds will receive a bonus.

Mr Osborne says this can be justified by the pension increase I will receive from this April.

Mr Osborne’s comment that we will not receive less money, while correct, did not add that our money will buy less.

Before the last election, Mr Osborne, then the shadow chancellor, said people should be encouraged to take holidays in the UK. Fast forward one year to when he had become the chancellor – he and four others of the top six members of the cabinet holidayed abroad.

A Keeling, Coppicewood Avenue, Bradford