SIR – I completely agree with your assessment of Chancellor George Osborne’s handling of the economy (Comment, Worcester News, September 10).

Having had three years of virtually no growth, I would argue that the economic recovery he promised has been long overdue and is far weaker than he forecast.

As a result, he will miss his own deficit reduction target.

Further, much of the recovery is based on people getting further into debt, coupled with a big rise in profits far payday loan companies such as Wonga.

The use of food banks has rapidly expanded.

Unemployment is still very high and with vast numbers on zero-hour contracts or working part-time, it masks a serious issue of underemployment.

Plus, the cost of living is far outstripping wages.

Clearly, a small increase in GDP does not correspond with the cutbacks that the overwhelming majority are having to make.

There are alternatives to the current approach, one of which has been set out by the Green New Deal Group, of which Green Party MP Caroline Lucas is a member.

Among its proposals are an investment in energy efficient homes and the scrapping of HS2 in favour of targeted transport investment, while ensuring that the banks invest in such infrastructure projects and making a real effort to tackle tax avoidance and evasion.

The Chancellor can boast all he wants about what a great job he is doing, but with further cuts planned by local councils across the country, most people will not be seeing any improvement in their quality of life in the years ahead.

MATTHEW JENKINS

Green Party county councillor, St Stephen ward