SIR – There are some people around who think that once benefits are being paid to those who need them they should continue to receive them even though they are no longer entitled to them.

Once you get child allowance you should continue to receive them even after the children are grown up.

If you get unemployment benefit you should get it even though you are now in work.

If you receive housing benefit for a four-bedroom house because you need that then you should continue to get that even though a two-bedroom house would suffice.

I always had the idea that benefits were paid to those who needed them and who qualified for them but were to end when that qualification ended or at least reduced or increased according to the new need.

It has also been suggested that those in private accommodation should also pay the so called ‘bedroom tax’.

Can I tell them we do. I pay council tax on the size of my house not on the size I need.

I therefore pay tax on unused bedrooms just as some people think I should and, of course, this is a real tax not a reduction of payments received. Perhaps those who are happy to receive the benefits I quite happily contribute to accept that needs change and that benefits should be able to rise as well as fall.

FRANK LLOYD

Worcester