I HAVE just received my annual tax summary which gives me a breakdown of how much of my tax is spent on various government services.

Yes, top is welfare. But if this becomes reduced further it means my contribution to the food banks will increase because of the glaring gaps in provision that are rising.

I would also rather pay more to the paltry percentage allocated to libraries and museums to employ more people on decent meaningful jobs instead of the minimum wage ‘cuppa culture’ which masquerades as booming business.

A tiny percentage is on housing, when again the lack of good state housing means more people on the streets or in substandard accommodation resulting in further problems that will increasingly be picked up by charities.

I could with many others pay more tax and would happily do so and the result would be I would have to shell out less on charities.

When will our society grow up and get over the penny pinching meanness against state provision which grew out of the sacrifices made through the wars commemorated this week?

Trevor Hopper, Valence Road, Lewes