Who qualifies for Continuing Care?

SIR - For a couple of years I have had concerns about the care vulnerable adults receive or are entitled to. I have, over the last 12 months, tried on many occasions to set up meetings with my MP Gerry Sutcliffe and relevant managers within the local NHS to get some answers to my concerns, but with little or no tangible response.

Watching Panorama on March 5, I was appalled to see that a lady paralysed from the neck down does not qualify for NHS Continuing Care. People who have worked all their lives should not be forced into using their already-taxed earnings on healthcare which should be provided under the NHS.

As a life-long Labour voter, I feel that I, and all those concerned about the care of vulnerable adults, deserve a response to the following questions:

1. Who would qualify for Continuing Care?

2. How many people in England meet Continuing Care criteria and currently receive funded care?

3. How can the Government justify the fact it has reduced the number of local authority care home places from more than 85,000 in 1994 to only 44,200 in 2004?

Angela Chapman, Siskin Drive, Clayton Heights, Bradford.

Wonderful job

SIR - I would like to congratulate the army of volunteers and Council workmen who, for the last few days, have been cleaning roads across Baildon Moor.

I live on Crook Farm and travel daily across the moor, having to look at the rubbish left by mindless people who seemingly have no bins at home.

The men did a wonderful job on Monday and Tuesday and by the evening the moor looked lovely. The following morning they were back once again to find the mindless people had returned in the night to scatter rubbish again. Those poor men must have felt so deflated after their hard work but they were there most of the day.

I and I'm sure most of the other residents are grateful to you, the workforce, and thank you very much.

Heather Pilkington, Crook Farm, Baildon.

Enforce the laws

SIR - I see Charles Clarke is having talks with the Humberside, North, South and West Yorkshire Chief Constables regarding the Government proposal to have fewer but larger forces to tackle organised crime.

It may be simplistic but I do submit that the city of Bradford was far better policed before the amalgamation, when under the control of Bradford City Police, a highly-disciplined force of nearly 500 officers with about 100 officers - split into shifts - controlling the central part of the city.

The Chief Constable knew every member of the division, and just about every member of the force itself.

Wherever one walked in those days an officer was usually in sight.

Yes, there's more crime to deal with now but the laws, existing and new, are not enforced like they used to be which is part of the escalating problem.

Paul Stephenson, Cliffe Gardens, Shipley.

Identity theft

SIR - Every year identity theft causes extreme and long-term distress to its many thousands of victims. And the numbers caught up in such a nightmare are growing. Could more be done to make that experience less traumatic?

The National Consumer Council is currently investigating how companies, banks, credit, energy, gas and telecoms providers serve and support customers who have fallen prey to identity theft.

As part of our investigations we would like to talk to anyone whose identity has been stolen and criminally exploited.

If this has happened to you and you would be willing to tell us about your experience (which will be treated in the strictest confidence), please phone Anna Fielder on 020 7881 3001 or e-mail idtheft@ncc.org.uk.

Anna Fielder, National Consumer Council, Grosvenor Gardens, London.

Asylum scapegoats

SIR - Elaine Neale (T&A Letters, March 17) fails to explain why we should blame asylum seekers for the pension crisis. It is a myth that asylum seekers are costing the taxpayer a fortune.

Refugees bring their experience into this country, and include doctors, teachers and IT specialists. In short, they are the very people Charles Clarke is actively encouraging to come to Britain in his immigration plan.

Currently, asylum seekers have to go through costly court appeals to obtain emergency shelter and support. So if you think we spend too much money on them, perhaps you should campaign for the government to drop its draconian laws.

Besides they receive just under £37.77 per week in benefits - 30 per cent below the poverty line - and they are not allowed to work.

A study by Oxfam and the Refugee Council shows 85 per cent of asylum seekers experience hunger, 95 per cent cannot afford to buy clothes and shoes, and 80 per cent are not able to maintain good health.

So unless you think this is fair, humane, and altruistic, can I ask that we stop scapegoating a minority group for the sake of a simple and easy explanation?

David Lawson, Altar Drive, Heaton.

Question of image

SIR - Referring to his letter headlined 'Insult to Jesus' (T&A March 13), does Andrew Dennison have proof Jesus was not how Jerry Springer: The Opera portrayed him?

The church sees the Lord Jesus, if he existed, as white, blond and blue-eyed. Being Christians and white, we accept that image. However, given where he was supposed to have lived, that image cannot be correct.

Believe me, if Jesus feels insulted by the way he is portrayed by the show then he, or his father, will gain retribution. Until then, Andrew, get over it.

I have seen the cartoons. Where do they indicate Mohammed was 'The Prophet' referred to by Muslims?

Religions are a belief and to that end cannot be proved true. If Muslims wish to say Jesus was a prophet not the son of God, it is correct, justified and acceptable, until Jesus proves them wrong.

However, this view would downgrade all our prophets to that of preachers. On that basis it would therefore be correct for us to accept Mohammed was a preacher not a prophet.

Religious grounds should never restrict freedom of speech even in such a musically-rubbish show.

William Oliver, Gerard House, Fairhaven Green, Idle.