SIR - In response to Bob Watson (T&A letters, August 15) regarding food poverty statistics. This problem is a genuine failure of our government and they have made this problem much worse due to benefit reforms which are not fit for purpose. Families will purchase TVs, mobile phones or digital subscriptions when they have a steady flow of income or benefits to provide for this and such circumstances can change rapidly from one month from being able to afford luxury items to being unable to afford adequate food the next month.

This is due to a financial climate of zero hour contract employment, benefits sanctions, and a benefits system that can have claimants waiting several weeks for benefits payments. Adding to this a fast credit culture replacing decent wage rises. The reality for too many these days is a high proportion of people could be potentially one pay check away from being in a similar predicament. Neo-liberal economics rewards far too few at the expense of far too many and these are the symptoms.

George Hitchcock, Southlands, Baildon