SIR - In Barnardo's warning (T&A letters, October 13), Chief Executive Javed Khan is correct to say there is a radical new approach needed as over 70,000 children are now going into the care system every year.

It was largely about child abuse which is a serious problem. And coming up we have Children in Need 2018 emphasising all dangers including starvation.

While acknowledging we have to protect today's children and keep them out of poverty, the radical approach that Mr Khan and others rarely mention is birth control.

Staggeringly, Earth's human population has roughly doubled in 70 years. This can't go on. And I can hardly think of a worldwide crisis that would not be eased long term if less people were born.

There needs to be a change in attitudes, remove the stigma of being childless and stop the peer pressure.

Since a certain time, more parents (not all) have seen parenthood increasingly as something to show off about, perversely while spending less time with their kids, relying on childcare.

A review of the benefit system in the UK is also required and any other influences that make this population problem worse around the world.

Alan Bates, Bowland Avenue Baildon