EACH year the number of days we are working just to pay taxes, before earning for ourselves and family, is increasing.

Rush hours are getting longer. Returning from Manchester Airport, even at 6am, there were plenty of cars and lorries. But by 6.30am, on the M62 leaving the suburbs, all three lanes were full, limiting speeds.

All I can glean from this is that people are having to work longer just to keep those who won’t work, can’t work, no intention of working or have never worked; numbers which are increasing perpetually.

Obviously, this is more prevalent in places such as Leeds, Bradford and Dewsbury.

Unless radical steps are taken, especially in view of lack of jobs and population increases, then this marvellous country could almost join the ranks of the Third World.

J T Emmerson, Cromer Street, York.