SIR - Frank Jones' letter (Worcester News, February 2) included a misconceived attack on the Worcester Housing and Benefits Advice Centre. Mr Jones suggests that the advice centre is complicit in the irresponsibility of those who get into rent arrears by helping them claim benefits. It is true that some people (in all walks of life) do neglect their priorities, often preferring self-indulgence to self-reservation. It is not the responsibility of any advice centre. Their role is to advise and assist people to help them secure their entitlements created by Parliament.

The reasons for rent arrears frequently are nothing to do with booze fags and drugs. Often it is simply that people are unable to manage their outgoings and pay all their rent, especially when something catastrophic occurs - illness, relationship breakdown, death of a spouse and so on. Downsizing the benefits system or closing advice services would only make matters worse. Surely we don't want that in a modern civilised state.

I would suggest that if anything, rent arrears might be significantly reduced if the Government and charity-funded Worcester Housing and Benefits Advice Centre would raise their public profile and help maximise the income of thousands more Worcester citizens.

Not only the unemployed, but those in work who might be entitled to tax credits. Apparently, they have sophisticated benefits assessment software, and would happily check to ensure all possible benefits and tax credits are in payment.

ANDREW BROWN,

Worcester.