SIR – Could anyone, other than the Shadow Chancellor that is, really find fault with the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement?

As an OAP myself, £2.95 a week rise next April sounded infinitely better than Gordon Brown’s 75p. As did the freeze on petrol duty and the proposed reintroduction of Married Couple’s Allowance, plus some respite on ‘Green Taxes’ of energy, all of which will offset other cost of living rises beyond the control of HM Government, eg world market rates for energy and food etc.

However, another good point was the planned discount on business rates for small firms, plus the elimination of Employer’s National Insurance costs for under-21s, which might help some young unemployed.

In this country many have been misled by Labour’s over-generous welfare regime, which made some far too particular about what jobs they might take. Also some aged under 21 were allowed to get together, start a family even, all on benefits, so they are unlikely ever to find work that paid more.

Little wonder that some Eastern European governments are openly critical of the UK’s obvious lack of work ethic when so many of their young people can find work here so easily. But perhaps the fact that Romania and Bulgaria’s average ‘minimum’ wage is 75p an hour where ours is £6.31 might have something to do with that. Germany doesn’t even have a minimum wage!

Some very small green shoots of recovery are starting to push through. I hope it continues.

D S Boyes, Upper Rodley Lane, Leeds