I FIND it disingenuous that the Tories defend their planned inheritance tax break to the rich by saying it is a funded policy being the receipts from a new claim on non-domiciles as if source justifies destination. Once the money has been collected it becomes public money which the government is expected to use in the best interests of the population. In times when public spending choices could not be more critical, the Tory party is planning to help those better off, a number of whom sit on their front bench in the House of Commons.

This public spending choice looks even more irresponsible when we read that the Tories propose to cut the benefit of the sick and depressed. They say they are targeting those that in their view, do not merit receiving incapacity benefit, but their crude approach will undoubtedly punish many deserving people who may not have the resources to adequately articulate their case.

We surely should never be attacking the most vulnerable members of society but to do so while simultaneously giving the well heeled a further cash boost is capable of being seen as very callous.

FRANK MULLANE