Your editorial on the £2bn being sucked out of the pockets of our poorest citizens ("Taking money from the poorest does not stack up", The Herald, March 20) bears constant repetition.

Here is a policy of gross economic incompetence that will spread misery and further economic depression as well as the closure of the few remaining local businesses in already-deprived communities. Beyond expressions of contempt for the architects of this nonsense, it will be important to provide as much support as is possible to those who are most affected.

Many voluntary organisations were founded with a mission to help the most vulnerable and they will have an absolutely crucial role to play as these draconian cuts unfold over the next few years.

Martin Sime,

Chief executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, 15 Mansfield Place,

Edinburgh.

The "new" Tory idea of giving money towards parents but only if both are working is reminiscent of a very Soviet way of doing things ("Cameron launches £1.5bn 'revolution' in childcare", The Herald, March 19). Children were taken into day-care centres while the parents worked for the state and to keep the elite in power. People became too tired or busy to stop and think for themselves or take notice of where they were being led.People are being deprived of time for a family: the opposite of what the Conservatives claim to stand for.

Charles P O'Brien,

59C Durban Avenue,Dalmuir, Clydebank.

Colette Douglas Home wrote many interesting compliments about Chancellor George Osborne ("I don't like his policies, but I do like George Osborne", The Herald, March 19). Perhaps I should change from my view that Mr Osborne appears as the boy who was refused participation in an Enid Blyton Famous Five adventure and then sought revenge by making life difficult for the council house children in the village.

John Edwards,

28 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.

DENNIS Canavan suggests that Margaret Thatcher's legacy may have a long-term fishy smell (Letters, March 20). I doubt he will have anybody disagreeing with him.

What will David Cameron's legacy be? Feral deer and urban foxes roaming through former Remploy factories, perhaps?

Robert Bennie,

Clayslaps Road, Glasgow.