THE attitudes of the British middle classes are puzzling in the extreme.

Middle-class “professional” people are very happy to donate to animals and Africa, and sit on the boards of charities, but when it comes to supporting their out-of-work neighbour through the benefits system instituted by Parliament, they develop a rooted philosophical objection.

It is about time we sorted out in this relatively wealthy country, whether the poor and vulnerable are to be supported to an extent by the comfortable and secure, or whether we leave them to starve.

It would also help, if certain newspapers stopped carping. It may sell papers, but it does society a disservice.

THOMAS H DOAK, Southampton.